The West Plains Sunrise Rotary Club held its 24th annual golf tournament May 23 at North Terra Golf Course in West Plains. The tournament serves as a fundraiser for the Rotary Club to support the area backpack program and other youth initiatives. The three-person format drew 35 teams from across the area.
Golfers competed in three flights, with three places paid in each flight.
In the Championship Flight, first place went to Len Jones, Kevin Pruett and Ron Barton with a score of 57. Second place went to Seth Huddleston, Mike Warren and Norman Hollis with a 59, and third place went to Kim Smith, Jerry Premer and Jeremy Haynes with a 60.
In the A Flight, first place went to Harlin Hutchison, Gary Lee and Short Tupper with a score of 64. Second place went to Deanna Tune, Sherry Jungferman and June Swanson with a 64, and third place went to Rylin Kenslow, Aiden Simpson and Hunter McCullough with a 64.
In the B Flight, first place went to Linda Benyo, Ronnie Bryan and E.C. West with a score of 69. Second place went to Shane Cobban, D.J. Cobban and Joe Rothgeb with a 69, and third place went to Thompson, Rusty Pilgrim and Calhoun with a 69.
Additional contests included closest to the pin, longest putt and long drive. Contest winners were Len Jones, closest to the pin on Hole No. 9; Rusty Shipley, closest to the pin on Hole No. 17; Charles Gault, longest putt on Hole No. 2; Katie Holder, women’s long drive on Hole No. 4; and Roger Tune, men’s long drive on Hole No. 4.
The Sunrise Rotary Club extended its appreciation to its tournament sponsors. At the Platinum level was West Plains Greenhouses and Nursery.
Gold sponsors were Don’s Auto Service, Edward Jones Regina Gleghorn, Judd Enterprises, Mission First Medical, Southwest Allied Health Education and West Plains Bank & Trust Co.
Silver sponsors were Burton Creek Rural Clinic; Mike Hutchings; Mr. Dent; Nathan Pulsipher, DDS; Overland Properties; Ozark Hills Insurance; Ozark Marketing Company; Perennial Energy; Shertz Hauling and Grading; Ramona Heiney - State Farm Insurance; Amyx Place; Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply; and South Central Retired Teachers Association.
Bronze sponsors were 37th Judicial CASA; ABC Home Furnishings; Beard Law Firm; Brocaw Bearing & Drive; Carstar Gobel’s Collision; Chris Thompson; Connie and R.A. Pendergrass; David Cochran; Edward Jones/Brian Rhoads; Edward Jones/Mark Lewis; Hawkins, Yarber & Chambers CPA; Hayden Machinery; HB’s Boot Corral; Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative; Hughes Towing; Indian Creek Materials; Inszone Insurance Services; Mead Electrical Services; Physical Therapy Specialists; Riggs Brothers Surveying; Sexton Auctioneers; Silver Belle; Simmons Bank; Southern Bank; Toyota of West Plains/Morlan Shell Ford; Travis Smith; Wendy’s of West Plains; West Plains Affordable Auto Sales; West Plains Auto World; West Plains Savings & Loan; and Wood & Huston Bank.
Miscellaneous sponsors were Angie Meyer CPA, Bob Pekarek, Bobbie Joyce Insurance Agency, Butler Heating & Air, Dobbs Tax Services, Domino’s Pizza, Easley’s Body & Paint, EJ’s RVs, FNBC, Hart Family Eyecare, Justin Shelby Insurance Agency, Kelly Waggoner, Mac Industries, McFarland Spine & Sport, Ozark Hills Hospitality/Holiday Inn Express, Ozarko Tire Centers, Ozark Café, Shrimp Runner Seafood, West Plains Propane, West Plains Recycling, West Plains Roofing, Wiles Abstract, Wiley Insurance Agency, Willard Autos, South Central Golf Equipment, Dave Thomas - Shelter Insurance Agency and the Edward Jones offices of Kevin Walker, Kevin Brown, Heather Foster and Mark Guffey.
The club also extended a special thank you to food sponsors Johnny and Charlene Murrell with Johnny’s Barbecue, Shane Holloway with Domino’s of West Plains, Jr. Cunningham and Pepsi MidAmerica, Rick Crawford and Frito-Lay, and Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, whose support helped make the tournament a success.
The event is held in memory of Tom Smith, a Rotarian from the club. Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” guides members working within the community to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, improve maternal and child health, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment.
