Sports

HARBOR OAKS TO HOST GOLF TOURNEY

By Sean Saunders/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:40 PM CDT

Throughout the year, various organizations try to pull people to Pine Bluff. This weekend, Harbor Oaks Golf Club will take its turn toward drawing business from out of town to Jefferson County.

Beginning today, Harbor Oaks will hold its annual Mixed Invitational, one of its biggest locally run tournaments every year. The Regional Park landmark will host a total of 128 golfers, some coming in from out of state.

“We’ve even got some people coming in from Bossier City, La.,” Harbor Oaks golf professional Ken Smith said. “Aside from some of the small towns around here, we have some guys coming in from Hot Springs Village, Texarkana and even about 10 from Jackson, Miss. This and the four-ball later this month are probably the biggest club events we put on every year. It’s a pretty big effort.”

The field was limited to the first 64 teams to sign up by the July 3 deadline. The field is then pre-flighted by the team’s handicap, which is 80 percent of the team’s low handicap and 20 percent of the high handicap.

Each flight will consist of eight teams, making for eight flights. The tournament itself consists of 36 holes, beginning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Saturday.

But beforehand, there will be a team shootout as part of a practice round for the participants, and it’s also flighted by handicap. Only the first 30 teams to sign up get into the event, with an additional fee of $15 to the $245 entry fee.

“This event is big time because of all the people that come in from out of town,” club manager Brad Thomas said. “This is one of the most successful mixed events in the area because we try our best to get people to come into town.”

Thomas’ job is taking care of all the tournament entrants. He’s in charge of the event’s after-hours activities, including a couples barbecue today at 6:30 p.m., breakfast buffets the first two days and a dinner layout Saturday night.

On the course the format will be a modified version of a scramble, known as a “shamble.” Both players drive from the tee and pick the best drive. They then play their own ball until the ball is holed. Players will receive 50 percent of their handicap for net scores.

Sunday’s action begins at 8:30 a.m. First place for each flight gets $200 in gift certificates at the golf shop while second place gets $100. Each flight will have a total of $600 in payouts.

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