Each spring and fall since 1981, Baptist ministers and laymen have gathered at various locations throughout Louisiana to enjoy a time of fellowship and golf.
ALEXANDRIA – Each spring and fall since 1981, Baptist ministers and laymen have gathered at various locations throughout Louisiana to enjoy a time of fellowship and golf.
The tradition was kept alive this spring as more than 80 pastors and laymen participated in a friendly – but highly competitive – two-day tournament here in Alexandria.
The 20, four-man teams from across the state of Louisiana participated at the 18-hole Links on the Bayou.
A number of new players attended this spring’s tournament – in its 27th year – to compete alongside the numerous veterans from previous Baptist Golf Fellowship tournaments.
“Woodridge Baptist in Shreveport always has a good group,” said Wayne Taylor, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and a sponsor of the tournament.
“Woodlawn Baptist in Baton Rouge brought 10 players to this year’s tournament,” said Tommy Middleton, church pastor.
Chuck Lowman badgered him into coming to this year’s event, Middleton said.
“This is just a warmup for Woodlawn’s fall golf tournament,” Lowman, a five-time tournament participant and associate pastor of education and evangelism for Woodland Baptist, responded with a grin.
MINISTER’S DIVISION
Medalist play winners in the minister’s divisions included:
Championship flight: Bob Shelton, Denham Springs, first place; Bobby Powell, Morgan City, second place; and Sonny DePrang, Bossier City, third place.
First flight: Craig James, Denham Springs, first place; Chuck Lowman, Baton Rouge, second place; Frank Nihart, DeRidder, third place.
Second flight: Harry Forester, Shreveport, first place; Al Marks, Eunice, second place; Gary Taylor, Olla, third place.
Third flight: Stephen Laughlin, Oakdale, first place; Brian Thurman, Pitkin, second place; Robert Daniel, Tioga, third place.
Fourth flight: Dick Powell, Shreveport, first place; Leon Terrell, Ville Platte, second place; Dale Phillips, Pride, third place.
Fifth flight: Joey Williams, Hornbeck, first place; Charles Gilder, Morgan City, second place; Dave Deal, Baton Rouge, third place.
LAYMEN’S DIVISION
Medalist play winners in the layman’s division were:
Championship flight: Dennis Millsap, DeRidder, first place; Mike Beadle, Baton Rouge, second place; Mack Truluck, Baton Rouge, third place.
First flight: Kevin Snyder, Cypress, Texas, first place; Alex Stewart, Luling, second place; James Irvine, Glenmora, third place.
Second flight: Ed Eason, Prairieville, first place; Ronnie Rossett, Shreveport, second place; David Harris, Bethany, third place.
Third flight: Farley Painter Jr., Lafayette, first place; Billy King, Pineville, second place; Ralph Stapleton, Oakdale, third place.
Fourth flight: Ken Hebert, Oakdale, first place; Dave Huffman, Pineville, second place; Doug Byrd, Oakdale, third place.
SUPER
SENIOR’S DIVISION
Winners in the super seniors division were: Dewitt Wagner, Leesville, first place; Hoyt Dyess, Many, second place; Sonny DePrang, Bossier City, third place.
FOUR-MAN SCRAMBLE
Team winners in the best-ball four-man scramble competition included:
First place: Kevin Snyder, Cypress, Texas; Andy Pierce, Baton Rouge; Stephen Laughlin, Oakdale; Tommy Middleton, Baton Rouge.
Second place: Mike Beadle, Baton Rouge; Harry Forester, Shreveport; Jerry Ware, Oakdale; Steve Gordon, Shreveport.
Third place: Bob Shelton, Denham Springs; James Doxey, Pitkin; Owen White, Winnsboro; Patrick Fewell, Baton Rouge.
CLOSEST TO THE PIN
Closest to the pin competition was won by Mike Beadle, Baton Rouge and Bill Penny, Boyce.
LONGEST DRIVE
Longest drive competition winners were Bob Shelton, Denham Springs and Mike Beadle, Baton Rouge.
Super Seniors longest drive winners were Herman Palmer, Shreveport and David Harris, Bethany.
GRAND CHAMPION
The tournament’s Grand Champion and first-time participant was layman Dennis Millsap of DeRidder.
During the Monday evening awards banquet at the Baptist Building, a highlight of the two-day event, many generous door prizes were awarded by Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Wayne Taylor and Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs, sponsors of the event.
Mulligan’s were sold for the Tuesday scramble play with benefits going to the Shepherd’s Fund administered by the Pastoral Leadership Team of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
The fund helps Louisiana Baptist Convention church ministers/employees, retired ministers/employees or their widows with limited emergency financial assistance based on need and limited to twice in a calendar year.
“Bottom line, it was a fun time for all. It’s neat to meet people and the tournament is a neat thing,” Taylor said.
He hit the longest drive of his life this time, he said.
The Baptist Golf Fellowship’s fall tournament is scheduled for Sept. 22-23 at the impressive 18-hole OakWing Golf Club, which was designed by Jim Lipe and is located in England Air Park in Alexandria.