Note: Check back later tonight for video from the Grand Opening! -KtE

The friends and family of a golfing legend joined with the Morris family and local officials in remembrance and celebration today with the grand opening of the new Doug Sanders Golf Museum in downtown Cedartown.

The museum showcasing the memorabilia collected over decades in professional golf by “The Peacock of the Fairways,” the Doug Sanders Golf Museum also celebrates an inspirational figure who learned the game right here in Polk County as a boy.

Sanders, who grew up in Cedartown and earned a scholarship to the University of Florida through his golfing acumen, ultimately ended up on the PGA tour with multiple wins in majors and big finishes in tournaments against the likes of Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and more.

His collection of golfing memorabilia covers well-known figures on and off the course. Alongside the signatures of Masters winners and tournament champions, Sanders also collected the autographs of astronauts and played with presidents.

Sanders and the late President George H.W. Bush had a long correspondence together prior to and during the first Bush’s tenure in the White House. Those are just small examples of the collection as a whole.

Museum Executive Director Daniel Morris said everything is together on site, but only around 50% of the museum can showcase what Sanders gave to the Morris family in years past with the hopes it would one day end up in a museum. Sanders himself did not survive to see the museum come to life after he died at the age of 86 in April.

The goal is to showcase additional pieces of the collection in rotation on a regular basis in the museum, Morris said.

Along with the Morris family and members of the community, several from Sanders family came out for the ribbon cutting held this afternoon in front of the Doug Sanders Golf Museum.

The museum also held a Memorial Service this morning to honor Sanders’ legacy and philanthropy throughout his life and career in the PGA.

Normal museum hours are now Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and general admission is $5 per person. An additional $5 spent can get each person the opportunity to also tour the Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia.

The Morris family provided the chance for the whole community to celebrate during the opening by offering free admission during museum hours to the public.