RICHMOND — Seventy players teed it up over the weekend in the Clarence Fain Memorial Men’s Invitational Tournament at the Bluegrass Army Depot Golf Course.

Stepping into the winner’s circle on Sunday afternoon after the battle for par was over was sharpshooter Derek Ward, with a four-under par, 140. Second place went to Johnny Baird, with a 143. Third place went to Tom Shelton also with a 143, but losing in a playoff. Fourth place went to Randy Jewell, with a 144 and fifth place went to Doug Tudor, 149.

The First Flight winner was Travis Broaddus, with a 150. Second place was Mark Butry, with a 153 and third place was Dustin Woolery, 153 (but losing in a scorecard match). Fourth place went to Ed Razor with a 154 and fifth place went to Perry Wyrick, 158.

In the Second Flight, the winner was Mark Patrick with a 158. Second place went to Brent Mainous, 159, and third place went to Nick Bowling, 160. Fourth place was Josh Anglin, with a160 (lost in scorecard match) and fifth place went to Jerry Reynolds, 162.

The winner of the Third Flight was Mark Bowling with a score of 161. Second place was a tie between Paul Burton and David Eaton with scores of 167. Fourth place went to Jim Dobson with a 169 and fifth place went to Steve Beagle with a 170.

The champion in the Fourth Flight was Dale Shultz with a 170. Second place went to Paul Cooper with a 184, third place went to Jimmy Johnson, 187, fourth place went to Don Hardy with a 188 and fifth place went to Gary Rowland, 191.

On Friday afternoon there was an exciting shootout which preceded the start of the tournament. It was won by Derek Ward with Josh Anglin taking second place.

On Saturday night all the players and guests were treated to a delicious steak dinner with all the trimming and (yum, yum) apple cobbler for dessert provided by the MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) staff.  

After dinner they danced the night away to the music of DJ Harvey Poynter.

The tournament was a great tribute to the memory of Clarence Fain, a man who dearly loved the people and the Bluegrass Army Depot Golf Course. Jason Brandenburg, as chairman, did a terrific job of running a fun, exciting tournament.

Jason said to give special thanks to Sandy Hill, Sarah Drinkard, Teresa Wyrick and Roger Van Winkle in the Pro Shop. Andy Dunn had the greens in great shape with help from Ron Scott, Gene Shanks, Jeremy Hayes and Tom O’Brien.

Mahalo to Jason Brandenburg for the info and a big salute to Derek Ward on a double win.

You da man!

EKU takes third at Purdue-  Midwest Shootout

On Sunday, three Colonel golfers finished in the top 10 and the other three finished in the top 30 in the 58-player field at Purdue University.

Those performances propelled EKU to a third-place finish in the nine-team field. The one day, 36 hole shootout was contested over the 7,465 yard Kampen Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in Lafayette, Ind.

Valparaiso, 598, won the event at 22 over.  Purdue, 600, was second and EKU, 608, was third, which was five shots better than fourth-place Southern Illinois with 613.  

Taylor Riggs and Garrett Hinton led the Colonels with scores of 150 (+6) which tied them for sixth place overall. Stuart Witt, 153, tied for 16th; Johan Eriksson, 156 and Zack Butler, 156, tied for 26th. Senior Andrew Yeast, playing as an individual, shot 150 which was his career best and finished tied for sixth individually.

It was an excellent endeavor by the Colonels on a long, tough golf course and looks like a promise of better things to come.

Maybe some of Coach Pat Stephens’ winning ways this summer is catching on.  

Wow! Let’s hope so.

Emerson named OVC Golfer of the Week

Last Wednesday, EKU senior April Emerson was selected as the OVC Women’s Golfer of the Week.

Emerson tied for third at the Redbird Invitational hosted by Illinois State. She opened play with a 77 and then shot 74s the last two rounds for a total of 225 to tie Hadley Jennings of Drake for third.  

Congratulations, April, on your great golf.

The Lady Colonels are back in action today at the Great Smokies Intercollegiate at Waynesville Golf Resort in Waynesville, N.C.

Mahalo to Kevin Britton, assistant Director of athletic public relations at EKU, for the info.

Helton club champ at Battlefield

On Sept. 8 and 9, 35 players braved the rain on the first day to play in the annual Men’s Club Championship at Battlefield.

John Helton played steady par golf to waltz to the championship with a score of 144. Flight one winner was Jeff Mounts with a gross score of 160.

The Net Winners were First — David Hall, with a net 142; Second Net — Larry Hoffman, 148. Flight Two, Gross winner  — John Henry, 169; First Net — Greg Coyle, 175; Second Net —  Ricky Clontz, 176.  Flight Three, Gross winner — George Pulliam, 175; First Net — Chuck Eckler, 154 and Second Net — Gary Tyree, 178.

Special thanks to head pro Clay Hamrick for the info.

Congrats to John Helton on a good score in sloppy weather.

Gary Player wisdom

“I’ve found that to be truly successful in the world of golf one must first come to accept oneself as a human being who has the inner capabilities to improve and become a better person.”

Upcoming events

Saturday, Oct. 13 – The Kentucky National Guard Memorial Berea Blast Scramble.  Entry fee $40 per player, $160 per team includes cart, green fees, free food and beverage on the course during play, dinner on Saturday night. Team Prizes: First — $400; Second — $200 and third — $120.  On Friday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. till dusk “Meet and Greet” plus putting contest. All proceeds to benefit Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund. For info call (859)986-7141.

Final thought

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential ... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence — Eddie Robinson.

If you have any golf news or tournaments to tout e-mail me at  glenmorejones@gmail.com.

Until next time ... live, love, laugh and learn, Glenmore.