Around Iredell Sports

2007 Sep-26

Golf association urges community to think pink

By Larry Sullivan
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Think pink.

That was the overwhelming message, in all it’s splendor, splashed upon the field for this year’s annual Rally For A Cure golf tournament once again conducted under the hospitable services of the Mooresville Women’s Golf Association.

In the process, what transpired over the course of a cloudy but comfortable full half day on the home organization’s own Mooresville Municipal Golf Course took a passenger’s seat in the gas-powered golf carts to what was making the yearly attraction such an appealing draw in the first place.

Again this time around, proceeds generated by the players and sponsors of the Rally were all being used to benefit the national Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in general, and more specifically the local outlets through which that service makes its presence felt.

Of the funds generated by the affair, 75 percent has been designated to be put right back in the local hopper to be used for area affiliates that include Iredell County among its service areas. The remaining amount will be used to aid the national push for grants and research regarding breast cancer disease.

In keeping with the affair’s theme, the color pink – which has become closely associated with the Komen Foundation and the cause with which it is most concerned – was obvious at every turn, on every hole and each of the golf carts used for the event. Pink ribbons were everywhere, as were pink outfits donned by the majority of the women and even some of the men in the tournament field. Each of the golf carts were also decorated with pink balloons, most which stayed in play throughout the duration.

Among those in attendance to help tee off the affair included Bill Thunberg, Mooresville Mayor, and Kathy Mulligan, the MWGA’s Rally Ambassador. Each of them, along with Charlie Roberts, Director of Golf at the host facility, took turns addressing the crowd prior to play.

And, yes, there was a golf tournament itself to consider.

Teams comprised primarily of four players, with a few threesomes tossed into the mix as well, all teed up for competition’s sake, engaging in the all-too-familiar and player-friendly captain’s choice format for play. Under this procedure, each member of each team hit each shot from the best result of each previous shot. As a result, low scores are traditionally the rule rather than the exception.

Teams making up the field consisted of those made up of women only, men only and mixed genders, all divided into various flights for competition sake. Included among those in the field were former Professional Golf Association and PGA Champions Tour member Walter Morgan, now perhaps best known as the one lending his name to the First Tee Program that is designed to properly introduce youth – particularly those who might otherwise not be involved – to the game of golf.

Teams posting the top scores in each of the five flights were all recognized for their efforts, as were the winners of separate women’s and men’s on-course events that were also held throughout play.

All winners were accorded their due during the post-play luncheon and awards ceremony that was held once all shots on the course were made. The Rally also marked the debut of the host MMGC’s new wooden scoreboard built on the premises as part of an Eagle Scout project by a former member of the course’s former Mooresville Junior Golf Organization.

As for the play itself, the lowest team score of the day came, naturally enough, in the field’s championship flight. It was there where the afore-mentioned Morgan collaborated with teammates Michael Abate, Gil Beltron and Brent Reneaw to construct a team score of 56 strokes, an impressive 16 strokes better than par, to take both the top flight’s and the day’s overall low score medalist honors.

Placing second in the division by a mere stroke with a score of 15-under par 57 was the foursome consisting of captain Phyllis Hilton and crewmates Matt Hilton, Jason Meadows and Chad Parker.

In the second flight, a tie following play on the course required an on-card tiebreak to settle the deal. Once done, the team comprised of Brian Warren, Jamie Warren and their guests placed first, ahead of the quartet made up of Christine Leonelli, Roberta Leonelli, Mike Cronin and Josh Kreinbrink. Both crews turned in initial cards with the identical scores of eight-under par 64.

In the third flight, best of the best honors were bestowed upon the team consisting of Linda Nichols, Bob Nichols, Chris Burns and Don Parthman, doing so courtesy of their score of 65.

Placing second by a mere stroke in the same flight was the team made up of Pitkins Sharon and Bill, and McFeeleys Jessie and Pat, who posted a 65.

In the fourth flight, a difference of three strokes emerged between first and second, In the former, the crew comprised of Marge Bode, Phil Bode, Deidre Neu and Steve Neu placed first with their score of two-under par 70. Checking in second, with a 73, was the foursome including Marie Smith, Gail Shook, Karen Williard, and Ginny Darcy.

And in the fifth flight, four strokes stood between the first and second place teams. In first, the team made up of Jack Robin, Bill McGee, Vivian Robin and Margaret McGee used their score of 76 to win the top prize. That left the quartet consisting of Dolores Booth, Sue Billings, Sheila Deboehmler, and Roswitha Schweizer to settle for second with a score of 80.

In the on-course event department, for the ladies, players landing shots closest to the pin on the designated par-three holes included Geri Silliman at the fifth and Roberta Leonelli at the 12th. For the fellows, Ryan Bodine’s belt at the 14th was the one that stood up as the day’s best.

In the long driver contests, it was Kim McKeel’s shot for the women that went the farthest while staying in the fairway, while for the men folk it was Mike Cronin’s effort at the 17th.

And for all players, the one clubbing the most accurate drive at the par-four sixth hole was Lynda Sholar.

Over the past year, courtesy of the slew of sponsors and players, the MWGA has generated in excess of $60,000 for its primary cause. This year’s goal was to out-club the organization’s $8,000 tab that was raised a year ago. Final figures are still being tabulated in regards to this year’s event.

Plans are already underway concerning the playing of next year’s Rally, scheduled to take place at near the same time of year.

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