Fort Myers golfer George McNeill is gearing up to start a new chapter in his professional golf career. The two-time winner on the PGA Tour is now joining the PGA Tour Champions, a division of the PGA Tour for golfers aged 50 and over.
“Being fifty I would say it feels old but when I come out here I don’t feel so old,” said McNeill. “So young guy back on tour.”
McNeill, a North Fort Myers High School graduate, will make his debut at the Chubb Classic in North Naples, close to his hometown.
“I feel like I’m back at home almost,” said McNeill. “I am kind of at home being in Naples but back at home with the guys on tour that I know or recognize them.”
McNeill spoke about his excitement for joining the tour and his reasons for pursuing it.
“Well I’m sitting at home doing nothing so I’ve, playing out here it’s something I’ve looked forward to since I turned about 40 or 41 years old,” said McNeill. “When I kind of lost my full status on the PGA Tour, I was around forty-one or two and I was ready to take a break.”
Over the past year and a half, McNeill prepared for this opportunity, ensuring he was ready to compete at the highest level.
“I didn’t want to just go through the motions and play because I was in the tournament,” he said. “I want to actually compete. I want to be ready to play when it was time.”
Now, McNeill is ready to represent Southwest Florida on the golf course.
“I’m one of very few that are from here,” said McNeill.
He added, “once I get inside the ropes, I go that’s my office. That’s my area of expertise and hopefully I can just drown out and block off all the outside noise and get back to doing basically playing tournament golf, what I do for a living.”
The Chubb Classic will begin on Friday. McNeill will definitely have a cheering section when he takes the course. He’s married to WINK News Anchor Amanda Hall, who’s very excited for this moment.