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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

The Regions Tradition is set to return to Greystone Golf & Country Club this week with tournament action taking place Thursday-Sunday and the famed celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday.

It will be a week filled with excitement and can’t-miss fun from the golf to the food and drinks. Check out what not to miss at this year’s tournament.

Celebrities return: See them in action Wednesday

One of the most fun events each year in Shelby County and the Birmingham-metro area, the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am will kick off bright and early Wednesday morning.

Immersed in one of the biggest college football states in the country, some of the biggest names in the sport will be in attendance as they are every year, including Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer, Hugh Freeze, Kirby Smart, Trent Dilfer, Roman Harber, Greg McElroy, Tommy Tuberville and more.

That just gets it started, as the always entertaining Charles Barkley will be in attendance along with country music star Riley Green, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleez Rice, and radio personality Bill “Bubba” Bussey.

Paul Finebaum of the SEC Network will also be hosting his traditional annual show from the course, interviewing several of those names as they finish their round.

The pro-am offers an up-close and personal feel with all of the big names, giving you a chance for photos, interaction and autographs throughout the round, and who knows, maybe another impromptu song from Green and John Daly.

Tee times are below for Wednesday’s action, while you can visit https://www.cuetoems.com/regions_2024/Tickets.aspx for tickets.

Tee times:

7:50 a.m.: Condoleezza Rice with Mike Weir

8:00 a.m.: Trent Dilfer with Retief Goosen

8:10 a.m.: David Toms with Hugh Freeze

8:20 a.m.: Kirby Smart with Padraig Harrington

8:30 a.m.: Tommy Tuberville, Riley Green and Bubba Bussey with John Daly

8:40 a.m.: Kalen DeBoer with Stewart Cink

8:50 a.m.: Nick Saban with Steve stricker

9:00 a.m. Charles Barkley, Roman Harper, Greg McElroy and Jake Peavy with Ernie Els

White Claw Watering Hole

One of the more exciting spots at the Regions Tradition has become the White Claw Watering Hole located alongside the 10th hole at Greystone.

The tournament’s take on the chaotic 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix open, the hole will feature plenty of fun throughout the week and is a must-visit for many attending the tournament. Check it out below:

-The White Claw Wave Bar directly behind the 10th tee box will feature spiked seltzers throughout the tournament. Open to the public.

-The Redmont Vodka Lounge next to the 10th green will feature the growing vodka brand to build your own transfusions or enjoy spiked lemonade among much more for a relaxing place to take in the tournament. Open to the public.

-Cutter’s Cigars Lounge will also sit next to the 10th green, giving you the ability to enjoy a cigar and take in the golf. Open to the public.

-Drip Club IV Therapy will be set up on the 10th hole as well. Presented by Drip Club Wellness Spa, they’ll have plenty of IV and IM shots for hydration, energy and immunity throughout the week. Open to the public.

-The Margarita Grill Club will also return this year and runs along the hole to give a direct view of the par 3. The club experience does require a ticket but includes all food and drink in the cost of that ticket, while you’ll get access to a private courtyard and air-conditioned viewing area.

Black Jacket Symphony concert

If you weren’t enticed enough to attend Wednesday’s pro-am or at some point over the weekend, Friday will present a special concert from Black Jacket Symphony on the 10th hole directly after play.

Scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m., the band will take to the ZYN stage directly in the middle of the 10th hole, as fans pour out into the grass or sit in one of the lounges surrounding the hole to take in A “Best of” Performance from the band.

The concert will cost no additional money other than your ticket into the venue, and don’t forget, kids 15 and under get in free as do any active or retire military personnel.

Stricker ready to strike, others hope to challenge

Of course, you can’t forget about the golf. The first major of the year for the PGA Tour Champions, the tournament will feature some of the top names in the game, including fan favorite and back-to-back champion Steve Stricker.

Stricker has won the last two and three of the last four played dating back to 2019.

Other popular players include Ernie Els, Stewart Cink, John Daly, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, David Toms, Tom Lehman and many more.

Currently on the Charles Scwhab Cup Money List, Steven Alker leads the way with one win and five top 10 victories, totaling $970,840 this season. Stephen Ames is just behind as one of the hotter golfers on the Tour with two wins and six top 10s this season, earning $904,120.

Paul Broadhurs, Joe Durant, Ricardo Gonzalez, Y.E. Yang, Goosen, Alex Cejka, Scott Dunlap and Jerry Kelly close out the top 10 in the standings.

The tournament action will take place Thursday-Sunday and tickets are $30. Assuming there are no weather delays, the first and second rounds will last from 9:20 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., while the weekend rounds are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. with Golf Channel holding live coverage each day.

Tournament for a cause

The Regions Tradition is more than just the golf action, it’s a tournament that focuses on raising money for a good cause.

Since 2011, the tournament has raised more than $5.5 million for local charities, while it has raised more than $21 million since it started in 1992. The main beneficiary is Children’s of Alabama.

That leads to some exciting moments throughout the week, especially with the professional golfers and celebrities teeing off for the pro-am on Wednesday as they great different patients of Children’s.