WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The 19th annual Grizzly Golf Classic held Friday, June 6, at the West Plains Country Club raised over $22,000 for Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball and Volleyball programs for the upcoming seasons.
“The 19th annual Grizzly Golf Classic was the biggest and best of them all,” said Dr. Herb Lunday, dean of student services and tournament director. “Fifty teams of golfers whacked golf balls all over the course to raise more than $22,000 for Grizzly Athletics. With thunderstorms threatening to cancel the tournament, we obeyed Bill Virdon’s command to ‘Play Ball!’ and headed to our starting positions. The thunderstorms backed down, and we enjoyed a wonderful day of golf. It was truly a great day to be a Grizzly!”
Over 150 people participated in the event, he added.
Tournament flight winners included Marv Looney of Pontiac, LeRoy Looney of Gainesville and Charlie Brown of Tunica, Miss., who shot a 73 to win the Red Grizzly Flight; Joe Kammerer, Jeremy Hafer and Thom Sheridan, all of West Plains, who shot a 64 to win the Blue Grizzly Flight; and Jeff Butler, Cole Butler and Robert Butler, all of West Plains, who shot a 55 to win the Trophy Grizzly Flight and the tournament overall. Each golfer from the winning flight teams received a Nike VRS driver.
Traditional honors for the “Dead Last Team in the Entire Tournament” went to Tori York of Highlandville, Gabe Barton of Cherryville and Ashley Steed of West Plains, who shot a 102 for the event. Each received an Odyssey putter.
Several individuals won prizes for shots made during the tournament. Sheridan won a giant teddy bear for hitting closest to the pin on Hole No. 2. Lunday won a Stihl chain saw from Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply for sinking the longest putt on Hole No. 3. John Ames, West Plains, won a giant teddy bear for hitting closest to the pin on Hole No. 6. Zeke VanWinkle, Brandsville, won an elliptical exercise machine from Stamina Products of Springfield for hitting closest to the pin on Hole No. 8. Dave Gerber, West Plains, won a giant teddy bear for hitting closest to the pin on Hole No. 12.
Many other participants recieved other prizes contributed by area merchants, and other players received Louisville Slugger baseball bats personally autographed by Major League Baseball great Bill Virdon.
Lunday praised tournament committee members Jerry Womack, Justin Mitchell, Josh Drummond, Paula Wiedemann, Yancey Walker and the late Carr Ward for their efforts to ensure a successful tournament.