Huge turnout of golfers and sponsors highlight Chamber golf tournament

Richard Ott of California watches his putt roll on the green at the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.
Richard Ott of California watches his putt roll on the green at the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.

You couldn't have asked for a better day for the 12th annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.

An event-record 23 teams were on hand last Wednesday at California Country Club to participate in the three-per-team scramble and roughly $3,500 in proceeds was generated. Thirty-three local businesses also supported the tournament by sponsoring holes. A large number of those businesses also donated door prizes.

"Everything today went great," said Event Chair Dwight Sanders. "We had a nice day, great participation and I think everyone had a good time. Just a good day overall."

To accommodate the large number of participants, several volunteers were out at CCC to help the event go smoothly. According to Sanders, it all added up to being one of the more successful editions of the tournament in his now four years helping run the event.

"The Chamber does a lot of good things for the community and this fundraiser is just a way that we can continue to support the community. We get a lot of support from the community and then we try and turn it around and give that support back," Sanders said.

This year's winner of the event was the threesome of Matt Abernathy, Sean Kirksey and Jerry Kirksey. The team shot a 59 to take first by two strokes.

"I had a couple of wonderful teammates who played very well and that makes all the difference in the world," Abernathy said.

After Abernathy and Sean Kirksey teamed up last year to shoot a solid score, Sean's uncle, Jerry, joined this year to help the team get the low mark they needed to take home the top honor.

Abernathy, who's golfed in the tournament eight times, only had good things to say about how the event went off without a hitch despite the big turnout.

"It was a beautiful day," he said. "It wasn't too hot today. There was a nice breeze, and we had the greatest number of teams come out in all the years we've been doing this. It's just continuing to grow every year and that's what we like to see."

The second-place team of Robb Hartman, Drew Tucker and Butch Tucker carded a 61. The Commerce Bank team of Cale Brown, Brandon Garber and Hayden Eichelberger took third with a 64.

Individually, Kevin Bishop was the longest drive winner and Sean Kirksey won closest to the pin.