Top flight golfers from Haynesville to Houma recently spread eagle-like wings to enjoy two days of golf, fun and fellowship at OakWing Golf Club on the grounds of the former England Air Force Base.
ALEXANDRIA – Top flight golfers from Haynesville to Houma recently spread eagle-like wings to enjoy two days of golf, fun and fellowship at OakWing Golf Club on the grounds of the former England Air Force Base.
This fellowship of pastors and laymen known as the Baptist Golf Fellowship gather from around the state twice a year to try their respective hands at conquering the strange phenomenon known as golf. At this event, the greens become king and the players – servants of the greens for the two-day event.
“The fellowship becomes stronger and many lasting bonds and friendships are formed during the gathering,” said Kelly Boggs, editor of Louisiana’s Baptist Message, which sponsors the venture with the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.
“The event is growing and we look forward to many more tournaments throughout the state and invite new participants to join us as we travel to different courses,” said Wayne Taylor, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.
Longtime participant and layman Don Valentine of Trout shot his way to becoming a first-time BGF tournament grand champion.
Winners of this event were recorded in the following categories by ministers and laymen.
First place winner in the ministers’ championship flight was T. J. Boyd of Wisner; second place Max Hutto, Minden; and third place Jim Lofton, Pineville.
Ministers’ first flight winners for medalist play were Harry Forester, Shreveport; Chuck Lowman, Baton Rouge; Bobby Powell, Morgan City. Second flight winners were Floyd Davis, Shreveport; Robert Spicer, Monroe; Farley Painter, Kaplan. Third flight winners were Bob Braly, Alexandria, Brian Thurman, Pitkin; Buddy Hampton, Eunice. Fourth flight winners were Kelly Boggs, Pineville; Dick Powell, Shreveport; Charles Stokes, Alexandria. Fifth flight winners were Lenet Guidry, Napoleonville; Milton Wilson, Olla; Jason Gardner, Forest Hill.
The laymen’s championship flight was won by Don Valentine, Trout; Wayne Tanner, Leesville; Loren Smith, Shreveport. Laymen first flight trophies were presented to Jack Womack, Olla; Crawford Williams, Haynesville; James Youngblood, Waskom, Texas. Second flight winners were Louis Higginbotham, Walker; Joe Kirk, Florien; Scott Sutterfield, Oakdale. Third flight winners were Herman Palmer, Shreveport; Rodney Robertson, Pollock; Wayne Taylor, Alexandria. Fourth flight winners were Dale Lingenfelter, Pollock; James Irvine, Glenmora; Gene Russell, Otis.
Top honors in the senior division went to former Baptist Golf Fellowship Committee Chairman Jim Lofton, Pineville and Al Marks, Eunice.
First place winners in the second-day team play were David Hankins, Alexandria; Stephen Laughlin, Oakdale; Jim McMichael, Westlake; Kelly Boggs, Alexandria. Second place team winners were T. J. Boyd, Wisner; Floyd Davis, Shreveport; Don Scaife, Many; Jason Gardner, Forest Hill. The team of Chuck Lowman, Baton Rouge; Jack Womack, Olla; Gene Russell, Otis; and Sonny DePrang, Shreveport won third place.
Longest drive awards went to Jim Lofton and Al Marks in the senior division. Stephen Laughlin and T. J. Boyd won longest drives for non-senior division.
Closest to the pin awards were won by Jim Lofton, Bobby Powell and Crawford Williams.
Door prizes were awarded in abundance at the Monday evening banquet held at the Baptist Building and emceed by Kelly Boggs. Darrell Washam of The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, who presented golfers with a complimentary gift prior to play on Monday, reported on activities at the home during the banquet. Former tournament players Bob Lee, Lucien Conway, Jim Faull, Sr., Don Guice and Frenchie Guillory, now deceased, were remembered with a drawing for sleeves of golf balls donated by Kenneth Mooney.
Mulligans sold for second-day play netted a generous contribution for Disaster Relief.
Sponsors reminded attendees to mark their calendars for the 2007 fall tournament, scheduled for October 15-16 at the Lake Charles Golf and Country Club in Lake Charles.