RICHMOND — Powell County’s Kevin Lawson cruised to victory in the Madison Country Club’s 65th Labor Day Invitational Tournament for the third time over the Labor Day weekend.

Lawson went into the final round with a four-shot lead and won by five shots over Ron Layman. In 2007, he had it in his grasp but up jumped the bogey man on the last day and Randy Jewell went on to win the crown.

Results in the championship flight were: champion: Kevin Lawson, with a three-day total of 205; second: Ron Layman, 210; third: Ryan Tucker, 211 and fourth: Marty Anderson, 214. Championship consolation: first: Tom Shelton, 218; second: Scott Webb, 220; third: Tom Pendergrass, 221 and fourth: Brian Ponder, 223. First flight: first: Brandon Evans, 227 and second: Luke Wright, 234. First flight consolation: first: Travis Broaddus, 238 and second, Steve Johnson, 248. This was all medal play.

In the match play flights, the winners were: second flight: first, Wade Adams and second, Richard Ratliff. Second flight consolation: first, Chad Davis and second, Sonny Lawson. Third flight: first, Johnny Davis and second, Tim Grant. Third flight consolation: first, Robbie Robertson and second, Ricky Terrill. Fourth flight: first, David Woolery and second, Jeremiah Duerson. Fourth flight consolation: first, Oakley Murphy and second, Brent Mainous. Fifth flight: first, Yours Truly and second, Cliff Davis. Fifth flight consolation: first was Kenny Wilson and second was Dwight Griffin.

It was a big thrill for me to shoot below my age and win again at 85 years of age and to pick up the biggest prize I have ever won in a golf tournament. Wow! My cup runneth over.

(An informal poll taken at the club suggests that Glenmore is the oldest man to win a flight in this tournament. I do use the term “old” loosely when describing Glenmore. Our granddaughter, Emily, has trouble with age. She counts it as how tall you are. Glenmore, you are 85 years tall and the whole MCC family is proud of you! Footnote by cub reporter, Carolyn Jones.)

It also pleased me to see brother-in-law Kenny Wilson bounce back after a bad round the first day and win the consolation flight. You da man!

In the closest to the pin contest and picking up a great prize, the winners were Kent Hieronymus (my nephew) on Sunday and Wade Adams on Monday.

On Friday, prior to the start of the tournament, eighteen players took to the links in the always-exciting shootout accompanied by a vocal motorized gallery. After the smoke cleared, the man still standing was Ryan Tucker, from Somerset, who nipped Steve Brandenburg for the win. Kyle Beckham was third.

This tournament always draws some of the top golfers from around the state and had 117 participants this year. There were four of the Grayson family from Maysville entered, four of the Broaddus family from Richmond and three Davis brothers from Hazard that played. Of note: all three of the Davis family, Joe, Johnny and Cliff; played basketball for Hazard and were coached by an old football and basketball teammate of mine, Goebel Ritter. Goebel was a standout player at Madison High, Eastern, and the New York Knicks before he started his coaching career. It’s a small world.

At the awards ceremony, chairman Hubert Broaddus presented the winners their ample prizes, with help from Cumberland Valley representative and previous Labor Day champion, Don Edwards. Kevin Lawson was presented a beautiful engraved crystal trophy and the other flights were presented engraved crystal goblets.

This 65th edition of the MCC Labor Day tourney was another smashing success with a dinner and dance Saturday night and another delicious dinner on Sunday, plus all the lunches for the three days prepared by chefs Mike and Verna Freer.

Course superintendent Steve Brandenburg and his staff had the course in mint condition.

Chairman Hubert Broaddus and George Powell burned a lot of midnight oil to make this event a success and had a lot of help from Poochie McPeak and Carolyn Jones, who worked long hours as greeters and scorers. You are a great team. Hubert says it will be even better next year. Hats off to you on another fun time at the old MCC.

A big thank you to all of our generous sponsors and a real special thanks to our patron – Cumberland Valley National Bank. Mahalo and may the wind be always at your back.



Upcoming events

Sept. 20-21 – Bluegrass Army Depot will host its men’s Invitational Tournament. Entry fee is $125 for the 36-hole tournament (cart included). It will be flighted by handicap. There will be a steak dinner and dance for two, refreshments on the course, one free practice round (cart not included). There is a shootout Friday, Sept. 19 at 5:30. For info, call 859-779-6622 or 779-7222.



FIinal thought

A big problem with the long political campaign system is that by the time the candidates have gotten into office, they’ve forgotten what they promised.

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