DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — City leaders, community partners, and members of the Thornton family gathered this week for the unveiling of Art in Public Places’ (APP) inaugural mural—an expansive tribute to the historic Press Thornton Future Masters tournament.
The mural, located at the corner of Cherokee Avenue near the entrance to the Dothan Country Club, honors more than seven decades of junior golf tradition and marks the first completed project for the young public art organization.
APP Executive Director Holly Myers opened the ceremony by reflecting on the organization’s rapid growth since its founding just over a year ago. She said the idea for a Future Masters mural emerged repeatedly during early meetings with city and county officials, business leaders, and residents.
“I heard the same thing over and over: ‘Y’all should have a Future Masters mural,’” Myers said. “We realized the tournament was dear to our community and essential to Dothan’s history. As soon as our board was established, we voted to make this our inaugural mural because we wanted to make the community happy.”
Myers credited muralist Wes Hardin for his detailed work, noting that although he declined to attend the ceremony—saying, “Holly, I never come to these things”—his artwork continues to leave a visible imprint across the Wiregrass. She also thanked property owners Scott and Pat White for donating the wall space, as well as donors, volunteers, and the APP board of directors. “This mural wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for y’all,” she said. “This has been monumental for our little organization.”
Speaking on behalf of the Thornton family, King Thornton honored his grandfather, Press Thornton, who founded the junior golf tournament in 1950 at the Dothan Country Club. “My grandfather had a vision to give junior golfers the opportunity to play their own tournament and not have to compete against the older men,” he said.
Now, 76 years later, the family stood before a mural celebrating that legacy. “We’re excited to be here for the mural unveiling,” Thornton said. “I’m pretty sure both my grandfather, who’s pictured right here, and my dad would not only be surprised, but they would be proud.” Thornton also recognized the donors who supported the project, including the Ralph Smith family, Dothan Country Club, the Future Masters Tournament, Paul and Lydia Gainous, Real Time LLC, Kyle and Angela Turner, the Grigsby family, Seaborn and Alex Wood, and others.
City Commissioner Gantt Pierce highlighted the tournament’s deep impact on the city’s identity. “Ultimately, the story of the Future Masters is the story of Dothan—a city that believes small-town hospitality can host world-class events,” Pierce said. “The impact of the Future Masters on Dothan cannot be captured in a single statistic. It’s in our economy, our reputation, our young people, our infrastructure, and now in our art.”
Mayor Mark Saliba also praised the mural and the work of Art in Public Places, noting how fitting the location is. “I love that Art in Public Places thought about putting this mural right here,” Saliba said. “It represents history — a history of Dothan and families and what’s great about our community.”
Saliba noted the significance of transforming the corner through public art and thanked the Whites for making the site available. “Turning this corner into a great one was fantastic,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about—building our community.”
Angela Turner, who helped lead the project, said seeing the mural completed was the result of years of effort. “This beautiful work of art is more than paint on a wall,” she said. “It’s a tribute to the spirit, history, tradition, and community that makes the Future Masters so special.” Turner noted that last year’s tournament brought participants from 37 states and seven countries. “Sometimes they say you don’t know what’s in your backyard,” she said. “This mural will be a reminder that one of the oldest and largest junior golf tournaments is right here in Dothan, Alabama.”
After remarks ended, the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting before attendees moved to The Cellar Door to continue the celebration. The mural now stands as a colorful gateway marker for the thousands of young golfers who travel to Dothan each summer, adding a new chapter to the city’s longstanding Future Masters legacy.
