It began with a whisper and turned into a rumor, creating a steady stream of curiosity-seekers searching for the truth — until all was revealed in furry coats and lapping tongues.
Yes, the puppies were back in town.
As the first round of the Regions Tradition began on the rolling front nine at Greystone Golf & Country Club, Sandee Taylor’s friendly canine protégés were making new friends in record time with tournament volunteers.
And, for that matter, with anyone who crossed their path.
Erica Schoeman calmly cuddled a pup, taking a short break that felt like a moment of pure zen – and she deserved it. As event coordinator for Alabama-based Eventive Sports, the company that runs the Tradition, Schoeman and her team have spent months preparing for the week.
“When you get to the event, you forget there are other things going on in the world,” Schoeman said. “This is a reminder that there are actually beautiful things happening.”
A few feet away, Taylor watched while trying to keep Scotty, a golden retriever–Great Pyrenees mix, on his leash. There was no fear of him creating havoc – hugs and kisses were simply his favorite currency.
“Scotty wanted to come see the golfers,” said Taylor, who helps organize puppy days at the Tradition for Adopt a Golden Birmingham, a nonprofit that matches orphaned pets with prospective owners.
“They have such great demeanors. Scotty, for instance, is so warm, so chill. He’s the perfect golf dog.”
Scotty wanted to come see the golfers. Sandee Taylor
Scotty makes friends with a young golf fan.
He’s only a puppy at heart. Chronologically, Scotty is 6 (and still looking for a home, if you’re interested). His affable personality immediately draws you in.
When Scotty and Taylor walked the course, they were quickly stopped by Tyler and Danielle Noland, a young couple who adopted their family dog through Adopt a Golden.
“We adopted a golden–Pyrenees mix like Scotty in January,” Tyler said. “They’re the perfect dog – they’ll guard you and they’ll always look for something to retrieve.”
“It was love at first sight for us,” Danielle said. “We didn’t realize until afterward that my sister had also adopted from the same place.”
I think it’s a great opportunity for volunteers, in their downtime, to relax with our dogs. Amy Holliman
Regions Tradition volunteers get some puppy zen while foster director Amy Holliman talks about the benefits of dogs in need of a new home.
Amy Holliman, Adopt a Golden’s foster director, held Doug, an “alumni dog” who renewed old acquaintances with Regions Tradition volunteers. She also brought two 8-week-old pit bull puppies, who proved even more popular than veterans Scotty and Doug.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for volunteers, in their downtime, to relax with our dogs,” Holliman said. “The puppies’ feet haven’t touched the ground since I got here. It’s just a chance to love on a furry friend.”
Taylor took it all in with a knowing smile. She began volunteering at Adopt a Golden after a moment of reflection.
“Three years ago, my golden, Tucker, passed away,” Taylor said. “Tucker was only 8 1/2, but I wanted to do something to honor the breed.”
While the puppy brigade brought smiles and lowered blood pressure throughout the Tradition, it also honored Tucker’s memory in a way Taylor won’t soon forget.
And why not? Loving on dogs is therapeutic.
“It’s like a warm hug in the middle of the day,” Taylor said. “What could be better?”