Published: May 08, 2008 05:43 pm         

Record-setting champions crowned at the fourth annual Spring Classic

This past Friday and Saturday marked the fourth running of the POETS Golf Club Spring Classic Golf Tournament. Open to all serious golfers, the field this year included three teams from California, and there were many other teams from out-of-state. The weather cooperated with two fine days – and even though the prediction for Saturday’s round was threatening – and forced the tournament committee to adopt “lift clean and place in fairways” rules – in the end, the day was enjoyably dry.

There were seven flights this year and the overall championship was won by the team of John Allan and Pat Duffey, whose score of 151 was a record setting 29 under par for the two days. While not in the lead after the first round (their 57 or 15 under was 3 back from the leaders), as always, in the final round, their consistency paid off. Their final round score of 94, or 14 under par, included a net 69 from Allan and a net 64 from Duffey! Post those scores, boys!

Local professional teams accounted themselves well on the weekend. The team of Jeremy Jones and Jeff Houston bettered the over/under by 8 shots shooting a 164 or 16 under par. Jeff shot a smooth 68, and they were so confident of their position that Jeremy was able to take out driver on 18 and launch one OB! A couple of skins and PROX awards made their efforts worthwhile. As always, the team of Steve Kraft and Warren Huddleson was consistent! The golf professional staff efforts and participation in the event are appreciated by all the players.



Flight winners were:

First Flight:

First — Creech/Sweborg, 160

Second — Bailey/Bailey Jr., 163

Third — Houston/Jones, 164

Second Flight:

First — Finley/VanKyke, 162

Second — McElroy/Burleson*, 163

Third — Houston/Jones, 164

*past champions

Third Flight:

First — Olita/Perkins, 156

Second — Walker/Carter, 157

Third — Whitney/Clithero, 163

Fourth Flight:

First — Allan/Duffey*, 151** 2008 champions

Second — Edwards/Spahr, 160

Third — Hall/Richardson, 164

Fifth Flight:

First — Davis/Eelbode, 156

Second — Peskett/Schrahrer, 162

Third — Logan/Herman, 163

Sixth Flight:

First — Northam/Demet, 163

Second — Burks/Flick, 164

Third — Bennett/Horstman, 165

Seventh Flight:

First — Burdo/Robinson*, 152, overall runners-up

Second — Stackhouse/Cahill, 155, third-place finishers

Third — Luthy/Wages, 156

*past champions

Two of the major sponsors for the event, Hughes Real Estate Services and Crossville Hearing Center, both had teams in the field. It was very encouraging to see the sponsors participating in the event. Our third major sponsor, Cumberland Eye Care Center, would have had a team in the field except for a last-minute conflict. Keep those dates open for the Fall Classic to be held Oct. 3-4.

Gross and net skins were paid for the event. Of note was a two made on Crag #17 by the team of Al Runfeldt and Jim Byars. Byars' tee shot made the putting surface, and in the alternate shot format, “shortie” Runfledt knocked in to the putt for an eagle 2! Their team handicap gave them a net 1 for another skin. Al commented afterward, “My partner had dumped me, so I was a last minute insertion. What a lucky break to get teamed up with a brute like Jimmie! I owe him a lot!” Nicely done, boys.

Winners of the putting contest held on Thursday afternoon were:

Larry Spahr – fourth annual putting contest champion — 24 ¼ inches

Marvin Cahill-Runner up — 24 ½ inches

Don Johnson — 34 inches

Bob Hunt — 53 inches

Sam Edwards

Bob Stackhouse

Cal Smart

Complete results, pictures from the event and information on the fall event are available on the POETS Golf Club Web site, www.frontiernet.net/~poets/.

Comments from tournament director Chet Weeks: “The weather cooperated this weekend, and that enabled us to enjoy the facilities here immensely. In terms of the tournament itself, we have now demonstrated that there is a substantial interest in serious competition – played by the rules. The event has reached a manageable size and there is no need to expand the field much in the future. The format is proven, the competition fair, and the sponsor support has been overwhelmingly positive. My thanks to all the volunteers, our new and returning sponsors, the golf staff, and, of course, all of the players.”

Hole sponsors for the spring event included Happy Hound Real Estate, Prudential Real Estate (Ted Lancaster was a participant), Fairfield Beauty Shop, Air Experts, Mortgage Investors Group, Century 21 Real Estate, Beef and Barrel Restaurant and Bar, Bed and Biscuit Kennels, Glade Realty (Roger Price), Crossville Ford Lincoln/Mercury, and Dr. Peter Koletar, DDS, Family Dentistry.