However, this might not have been the most important news from Thursday’s UMMC news conference. UMMC and tournament officials both said they hope the opening of a new seven-story, $180 million pediatric clinic at the state’s only children’s hospital might coincide with the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship, which will have new first-week-of-October dates. LouAnn Woodward, vice-chancellor at UMMC, stated that the new pediatric clinic will be open on time and within budget. “It would have been so special for the grand opening to coincide with this tournament that has raised so many money to make it possible,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor. The new pediatric tower will house 88 private neonatal intensive-care rooms, 12 additional operating rooms, 32 pediatric pediatric ICU rooms and an imaging center for children. There will also be a specialty clinic, a lobby, and a specialty clinic. The Children’s Heart Center will also be in the new building. It is currently being constructed along Woodrow Wilson Avenue. Joe Sanderson Jr. (CEO of Sanderson Farms, and Board Chairman of Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi) said, “Oh my God, that would be amazing.” “The tournament’s purpose is to raise funds to support these children. That’s why our tournament exists.” Joe Sanderson and Kathy Sanderson started the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi in 2016 with a personal $10 million donation. The tournament has given $7.6 million since Sanderson Farms was named the tournament’s title sponsor in 2013. Joe Sanderson believes that the tournament will grow, attract a better field of players and raise more million. Sanderson stated that these were the dates Sanderson wanted and had practically pleaded for. “The weather should have been cooler and the field better.” This year marked the first time in tournament history that the tournament was played as a separate PGA Tournament. It is not playing in opposition to a larger PGA event. Joe Sanderson stated that while he enjoys every week of the tournament, the day when the check is delivered at UMMC is his favorite day. He smiled and said that it was almost Christmas. “It’s when I give back to the families and the doctors, nurses, and staff of Children’s Hospital.”_x000D