VALDOSTA — Local golfers teed off Monday in support of Valdosta High football.
A total of 72 golfers (18 four-man teams) competed in the inaugural Valdosta High Season Kick-Off Tournament on Monday afternoon at the Valdosta Country Club.
The four-man scramble raised thousands of dollars for the Valdosta High football program.
“It was an awesome day,” said Valdosta offensive line coach Ashley Henderson, who organized the tournament. “They played through the heat, which was brutal, but (the tournament) was a lot of fun. The response was real good, and I think it will be even better next year.”
The winning team was a foursome of former Valdosta quarterbacks. John Lastinger, John Bond, Dr. David Parker and Greg Talley finished with a score of 52.6. The foursome shot a 56, then the score was adjusted for their 3.4 average handicap.
The second-place team also included an ex-Wildcat quarterback, Dr. Ben Hogan. Hogan teamed with Ron Hogan, Terry Hiers and Greg Blais for a 52.8. Finishing third were Marcus Mullis, John Dennis Wetherington, Joe Patterson and Hernando Moreno with a 53.3. The top three teams received prizes for their performances.
Finishing fourth were Richard Lamon and a trio of present and former Wildcat football coaches — Charles Tarpley, Jerry Don Baker and Al Akins — with a 53.4. Blake McLeod, Bart Bosch, Keith Watson and Mike Davis were fifth with a 53.8.
The scores were low on Monday. Six teams shot under 54, 10 were below 56 and only one of the 18 teams failed to break 60 (after the scores were adjusted for handicaps). There was a two-putt maximum on the greens to help speed up play, and mulligans could be purchased.
Blais (Plantation hole No. 5), David Matthews (Bottom hole No. 2) and Jeff Sikes (Plantation hole No. 7) received prizes for being closest to the pin on selected holes. Scott Fletcher won the longest drive award.
The tournament was a fundraiser for the Valdosta football team. A number of former players, as well as several coaches (both past and present) played Monday. There were six former VHS quarterbacks competing, including the winning foursome (Ben Hogan and Berke Holtzclaw were the others).
The Wildcats were grateful to the Valdosta Country Club for letting them use two of its three nine-hole courses for the tournament.
“I have to thank the Valdosta Country Club and (head golf pro) Rob Williams for their support of this tournament. They’re first class all the way,” Henderson said. “Rob’s a big sports fan, and has done a lot for our local sports.”
This was the first Valdosta High Season Kick-Off Tournament, but the Wildcats plan on making this an annual event.
“We’re hoping to grow this tournament every year,” Henderson said. “Hopefully it will be a fun thing for these people, and a good fundraiser for us.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Former Valdosta High School quarterback Dr. Ben Hogan watches his ball after hitting it out of the rough while participating in the the very first Valdosta High Season Kick-Off Tournament at the Valdosta Country Club Monday afternoon.
-
-
Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Former Valdosta Wildcat assistant coach and player Jerry Don Baker tees off, as assistant coach Tim Horton watches Monday in the the very first Valdosta High Season Kick-Off Tournament at the Valdosta Country Club.
Discussion
Teeing off for ’Cats
- Local Sports
-
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
-
Freeman, Trojans finalize '12 schedule
The Brooks County Trojans’ football motto is to ‘bring the hammer’ each and every Friday night.
Well, the Trojans now know exactly who they will have to bring that hammer to this upcoming season, as head coach Maurice Freeman recently finalized Brooks County’s 2012 football schedule. -
New York wins Super Bowl
Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute touchdown to beat New England 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.
- Super Bowl boosts Indy’s image
-
Blazer softball sweeps Nova Southeastern
On Super Bowl Sunday, Valdosta State showed why it has been one of the super teams in the south region for years now.
-
Blazers fall to Saints
Just 24 hours after earning an impressive opening day victory, the Valdosta State baseball team struggled to find a rhythm against North Georgia, as the Blazers fell to the Saints 8-3.
North Georgia pitcher Blake Hobby was a major factor for VSU’s struggles. The senior right-hander held the Blazers to just one run on four hits across his eight innings of work on the hill. -
Tift County wins region wrestling championship
Tift County won the Region 1-AAAAA traditional wrestling championship on Saturday at Lowndes High School.
Tift had three individual region champions, had wrestlers place in the top three in 13 of the 14 weight classes and qualified wrestlers for next weekend’s sectional tournament in all 14 weight classes. Tift earned 184 team points, two points more than second-place Lowndes. -
Wildcats beat Crisp in overtime
Valdosta’s boys basketball team dominated the overtime period, and defeated Crisp County 66-56 on Saturday night at the VHS gym.
The Wildcats outscored the Cougars 17-7 in overtime to pull away for the win.
“Another big win,” Valdosta head coach Antonio Haynes said. “I’m happy for the guys. They played hard. They deserved this win.” - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
