Greenville’s William Jennings and Spartanburg’s Will Ruth will play in the BMW as amateurs

It may be a losing battle, but despite most of the news, the BMW is a golf tournament and the actual competitors this year include upstate juniors who are now successful amateurs or aspiring professionals.

With Bill Murray Weekend arriving in Spartanburg and Greenville, the tournament announced a pair of local additions that upstate golf fans should be proud to see in the field. .

Former state champion from Christ Church William Jennings received a sponsor exemption after finishing runner-up in the NCAA Championship.

Jennings finished his second year at Alabama by tying the highest finish ever recorded by an Alabama golfer in the national finals. Jennings mounted a late charge in the final round before finishing one shot short of the title, but tieing Alabama great Jerry Pate in the Crimson Tide record book.

Jennings is eligible to compete for the tournament title, but cannot accept prize money.

He has built a remarkable résumé this season. Jennings captured three collegiate victories, including an NCAA Regional championship, and was named a finalist for the Haskins Award, college golf’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Jennings is scheduled to begin play Thursday at the Country Club of Spartanburg, teeing off from No. 10 at 8:13 a.m.

He will be joined in the field by another player familiar to local golf fans.

Recent Dorman graduate Will Ruth completed one of the finest high school careers in state history. Ruth capped his senior season by winning a third consecutive Class 5A state championship, matching a South Carolina record.

Ruth will compete as an amateur in a field that includes more than a dozen Korn Ferry Tour professionals with area ties.

Last year he added a victory at The Blade Junior Championship held at Thorblade. Ruth will play college golf at UNC Wilmington.

The profesional first round course assignment and starting times are available at https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/tournaments/2026/bmw-charity-pro-am-presented-by-td-synnex/H2026037/tee-times

The two biggest new celebrities joining the field are fatjer and son NBA stars Del and Seth Curry.

These celebrities will begin the tournament at the Country Cllub of Spartanburg on Thursday

These celebrities will begin the BMW at Thornblade on Thursday

BMW PARKING INFORMATION

Fans attending play at the Country Club of Spartanburg on Thursday and Friday should park at Spartanburg High School on East Main Street. Shuttle buses will begin running at 6:45 a.m. and operate approximately every 15 minutes.

For play at Thornblade Club on Thursday and Friday, spectator parking will be located at Topgolf off Interstate 85 and Pelham Road, with shuttle service provided to the course.

For Saturday and Sunday’s final rounds at Thornblade Club, parking will move to the Michelin Upper Parking Lot off The Parkway near Thornblade. Shuttle service will also be available from that location.

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