New Orleans Saints to Hold Training Camp at The Greenbrier

Football and golf don’t often have much in common. One is a contact sport, and the other is far from it. This summer, however, the two sports will have a connection.

From July 24 to August 13, the New Orleans Saints will be holding their training camp at The Greenbrier, one of the top golf resorts in the country. Bubba Watson checked out the team’s new facility on Wednesday, and snapped an awesome photo in some construction gear.

Just out checking on the new @TheSaints practice fields at @The_Greenbrier! #GoodTimesAtTheGreenbrier pic.twitter.com/xPxYlODArN

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) June 25, 2014

The Greenbrier is building three practice fields for the team, as well as a 55,000-square-foot multi-purpose building, which will contain weight rooms, locker rooms, and of course, a kitchen and dining area. It sounds like the Saints will be well taken care of.

Today’s aerial view of the New Orleans @Saints Training Facility at The Greenbrier. #Saints #WhoDatNation pic.twitter.com/byuvWPJxOw

— The Greenbrier (@The_Greenbrier) June 19, 2014

The new Saints facility for training camp at the Greenbrier #CantWait pic.twitter.com/qXsWl5XhJP

— AlyssaBlankenbeckler (@alyssablank) June 11, 2014

The soon to be New Orleans Saints training camp facility in Greenbrier County, WV #WVPol pic.twitter.com/cWxzaywpi4

— Tim Miley (@TimMileyWV) June 10, 2014

The reason for the team moving to West Virginia rather than staying in New Orleans has to do with the weather, not the golf. West Virginia has a much milder climate than the hot and humid state of Louisiana, which should help to keep players in shape, and healthy.

“By splitting training camp between New Orleans and The Greenbrier, we will have a great opportunity to further enhance our training camp in 2014,” Saints head coach Sean Payton said in a statement. “As far as the time we will spend at The Greenbrier, it offers a tremendous opportunity to our team in a more moderate summer climate.”

I’m sure at some point the players and coaches will head out to the course for some golf. How could you not? It’s The Greenbrier. I’d venture to guess that Drew Brees would be one to do so, seeing as he’s got a pretty good swing. Good enough to have Bubba Watson caddie for him, at least.