Thursday, June 20, 2013

2013 Rex Hospital Open: A look back and ahead with Billy Casper


Billy Casper tours Rex Hospital in Raleigh - Rex Hospital Media

Three-time major champion and Hall of Fame golfer Billy Casper toured Rex Hospital and visited with patients and doctors in the run-up to this week’s Rex Hospital Open on Tuesday.

Casper, an inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and PGA Hall of Fame in 1982, visited the heart station, catheterization lab and a heart floor and learned about the hospital’s anticipated expansion of a new heart and vascular tower recently approved to be built. Funds from this year’s Rex Open will benefit Rex Heart & Vascular services and programs.

The visit to Rex marked another stop during a busy week for Casper, who also serves as co-chair of this year’s Rex Hospital Open, along with Captrust’s Jimmy Talton.

A Masters and two-time U.S. Open champion, Casper will also host an exclusive dinner event at 6 p.m. on Saturday at TPC Wakefield Plantation.

The dinner event begins with a reception followed by a five-course dinner during which Casper will recount stories of his playing experiences, including his relationships with golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

He will also be signing copies of his book, “The Big Three and Me.”

The dinner costs $150 per plate and space is limited.

To reserve a spot, contact Carson Gilbert at carson.gilbert@rexhealth.com or (919) 345-5830.

Raleigh Sports Examiner @pksport for onsite tournament updates