Finley Trosclair of Natchez continues to move up the golf ladder faster than a Tiger Woods drive with the wind at the British Open. Trosclair is now the director of marketing with the Celebrity Players Tour.

Trosclair and former T.C. Jordan/Hooters publicity director Lee Moore are back together again after Trosclair spent a year with the TearDrop Tour.

It didn’t take long for Trosclair to being instant recognition to his tour, the same way he did with the Jordan/Hooters Tour and TearDrop Tour.

&uot;We are excited about having (Michael) Jordan, (John) Elway, (John) Smoltz, (Johnny) Bench and (Mike) Schmidt as our pros now,&uot;&160;Trosclair said. &uot;We have 15 events in major cities and the minimum purses are $250,000.&uot;

Trosclair said there are 120 members mostly out of baseball, football and basketball with several entertainers, as well. &uot;We spent the last 10 years building tours and this seemed like the logical step for us,&uot; Trosclair said. &uot;There is television, press conferences and pro-ams, so Lee Moore is in heaven.&uot;

Trosclair, who credits creative ideas and hard work for his success, works for Jack Marin. a former All-American at Duke who also played with the Chicgo Bulls, Washington Bullets and Houston Rockets.

&uot;He is a Duke-trained lawyer and we have an awesome team,&uot; Trosclair said.

Trosclair has competed in two pro-ams — the John Smoltz Celebrity Classic, teaming with Dale Tallon of the Chicago Blackhawks and Jose Alvarez of the Braves.

In the Dodge Celebrity Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla., Trosclair played with Johnny Bench.

&uot;He is one of the nicest guys you could meet,&uot;&160;Trosclair said.

The Natchez native has also met Tom Glavine, Steve Bartkowski, Jim McMahon and Jordan.

&uot;The best feeling was in a player’s meeting when we were introduced as &uot;two men who have helped build two successful golf Tours&uot;.

It was actually Bartkowski who got Trosclair into the Celebrity Players Tour.

&uot;Steve and I have been friends for several years through our hunting interests,&uot;&160;Trosclair said. &uot;Steve served on the board of directors of the Celebrity Players Tour and had me meet with Dick Anderson, former defensive back on the Dolphins undefeated team.&uot;

At that time, Trosclair decided to go with the TearDrop Tour.

&uot;We resumed contact at the end of the season and the offer was there again,&uot; Trosclair said. &uot;This time Lee told me he would drag me in to sign the contract if I wouldn’t do it. ‘Bart’ also is deeply spiritual and has agreed to come conduct a fellowship wildgame dinner at our church so he is more than just a retired player, he is a good friend to many.&uot;

Last week, Trosclair made a presentation to potential sponsor.

&uot;I stand in front of the most powerful business people in America and proudly say that I am from Natchez,&uot; Trosclair said. &uot;I am not like other people who say they are from the city they live in.&uot;

Trosclair said he still hopes to bring pro golf back to Natchez.

&uot;Not a week goes by that Lee and I don’t discuss how to bring a quality event to Natchez,&uot; he said. &uot;It makes us happy that the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta can reap $200,000 from one of our tournaments but we wish that it could be the Natchez Children’s Home. We will find a way to come back, even if it is only for a one day Celebrity fundraiser for the Children’s home.&uot;

Despite his success, Trosclair keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground.

&uot;I would not be where I am without all my friends in Natchez who helped me along the way,&uot; he said.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.