By Duncan Nixon
The 47th annual Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue golf tournament was played in nearly perfect weather on June 20. More than 100 golfers competed.
The format was the usual four-person team captain’s choice, with two mulligans available per player for a fee of $10 per player. Most competitive teams buy the mulligans.
In a captain’s-choice format, a team of good golfers can achieve a very low score. All four players tee off, and the captain chooses the best drive. Then all four players hit from that spot. Again, the captain selects the best result. On a par four hole, a team of good golfers will almost always have at least one ball on the green and have four chances to sink a one-putt birdie.
As expected, the winning teams in the men’s and women’s divisions were made up of strong golfers. The men’s winners were Les Tinsley, captain, and Shawn Chen, Tom Slayton and Marc Hogan. They shot 55, as did the second-place team. That team consisted of captain Mike Drake and teammates Chuck Finley, Brian Shumker, and Chris Faris. The Tinsley team was declared the winner after comparing scorecards, starting at the 18th hole and working backward until one team beat the other.
In the women’s division, the winning team was captained by Edwina Heyer, with teammates Lisa Lounsbury, Colleen McLoughlin and Katie Mundell. They shot 68.
In addition to the team contests, there were also the usual individual tests of skill. Both divisions had closest-to-the-pin competitions, longest drive competitions, and longest putt competitions.
In the men’s division, Phil Skeps won longest putt, Chris Faris won longest drive, and Marc Hogan won closest to the pin with a near hole-in-one, finishing one foot, five inches away. In the women’s division, Charlene French won longest putt and closest to the pin, while Lisa Lounsbury won longest drive.
Carol Lissy organized the event, and she and her team of volunteers had things well under control. The event had three $1,000 platinum sponsors, four $500 sponsors, and five $250 sponsors. There was an impressive list of raffle winners, along with a 50-50 winner of more than $350.
Golfing activities at the Lake will continue through the summer, with an emphasis on activities for younger players. Assistant golf pro Mason Chiovaro will conduct two golf camps in July. A junior league co-ed team of 18 players is already in action, with a recent win over Glenmore. Golfers are between 7 and 13 years old. Parents interested in getting their children involved should check with the pro shop.
