The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation raised nearly $17,000 at its seventh annual charitable golf tournament.
Forty-four teams participated in the 18-hole, two-person scramble held June 9 at Oakwood Golf Course in Houston. There were two tee times and four flights.
Scott Kelly and Todd Rose won the championship flight by shooting a 52. Doug Cook and Harry Linton were second with a 54 and Alex Sanford and Dustin Harris finished third at 56.
Three teams shot 63s in the A-flight. Kevin Stilley and Danny Dailey were first, followed by Ron Murray and Larry Barton and the team of Mitch Shelby and Eric Ticer. Tiebreaker rules were enforced for teams shooting the same score.
Shooting 71s in the B-flight were Chan Crooker and Dusty Schober, first; Gary Lee and Kevin Pruett, second; and Larry Manier and John Thomas, third.
Denny Blackburn and James Boswell led three teams that shot 77s in the C-Flight. The teams of Scott Roberts and Danny Backus and Justin Shelby and Greg Van Horn were second and third, respectively.
First- and second-place winners in all flights received cash prizes and trophies. Third-place winners in the championship flight received a cash prize. The remaining flights received gift cards.
Ernie Tiede won the longest putt contest. The longest drive winner was Natalie Pang.
A “Vegas Par 3” closest to the pin contest was hosted and sponsored by Jim Bukowsky of Southern Missouri Financial, Wes Murray and the Houston Herald. Kevin Clary was the morning session winner, and Brad Eidson was second. Doug Cook was first in the afternoon and Scott Kelly was second.
“The Big Advantage” on the fourth hole allowed golfers to move up to within 150 yards of the putting green. It was sponsored by Jay Loveland and Wehr Motors. The game could reduce golf scores and included a closest to the pin contest. Gary York was the morning winner, and Alex Sanford won in the afternoon.
Golfers had the opportunity to win a new Chevrolet Cruze sponsored by Sturgeon Chevrolet-Buick with a hole-in-one on No. 5.
According to Jay Gentry, president of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation, the funds generated by the golf tournament will be used to fund scholarships for healthcare related educational fields and to provide resources for enhancing patient care.
“We filled all of the available team slots in the morning and afternoon rounds, and we received numerous sponsorships from individuals and businesses,” Gentry said.
Gentry noted that corporate sponsorships by Justin Shelby, State Farm insurance agent, and Tree Terminator greatly aided the foundation in putting on a nice tournament for the participants. Gentry also thanked the numerous volunteers and the staff at Oakwood for their time and efforts.