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Youth Leads The Way In McFarling Golf Tourney

Mark Pinson, Highlands Today

John Schroeder watches this birdie putt on the ninth hole as partners, Roy Allen, Joe DeCerbo and Dr. John Caruso look on during Saturday's third annual Jim McFarling Memorial Golf Tournament at SpringLake Golf Resort.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 2, 2009

SPRINGLAKE - It was only fitting that a talented foursome of junior golfers won the Jim McFarling Memorial golf tournament.

The third-annual event, which was held Saturday at SpringLake Golf Resort, attracted a field of 144 golfers, who competed in a four-person scramble format over the tough Cougar Trail course.

McFarling, who passed away three years ago and was a big booster of junior golf in Indianapolis, Ind. and in the Heartland, would have been pleased to see the foursome of Sertoma Junior Tour golfers Rocky Khara, Kendall Griffin, Blake Liles and Greg Gentry roll to victory in the First Flight gross division with a sizzling 15-under-par 57.

"Jim's wish was that we would have a junior tournament here at SpringLake and in Indianapolis every year," said Tournament Director John Delaney. "We're trying to fulfill his wishes, and the proceeds from this year's tournament and every year from now on, will go to the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour in Highlands County."

Former Sertoma Junior Tour player and Sebring High standout Roben Griffin was awarded a $1,000 scholarship after the tournament.

Finishing a close second in the First Flight gross division was the team of Sun 'N Lake assistant professional Andy Kesling, Roben Griffin, Rebecca Shatney and Debbie Delaney with a 58.

First Flight net division winners with a 55 was the foursome of Tony Gerhart, Dave Gerhart, Terry Paddubny and Daniel Baker, while the team of Jack Stotzs, Bo Bohanon, Edd Vowels and Gene Hearn placed second in the net division with a 56 after a match of cards.

The Second Flight gross division was won by Tom Bates, Marg Bates, Terry DeVries and Judy DeVries with a 10-under-par 62, while the team of George Thomas, Russ Briggs, Ray Murdoch and Pat Shatney placed second in the gross category with a 63.

The Second Flight net division was won by Ken Poe, Linda Poe, John Danko and Teresa Danko with an 11-under-par 61, while the foursome of Dale Stevens, Barbara Stevens, Brenda Green and Daniel Porter came in second at 62.

Tim McKenna, Andrew Deramo, Gary Tarquinio and Brian Kennedy won the Third Flight gross division with a 9-under-par 63, while Leon Van, Gail Van, Robert Frederick and Carole Frederick placed second with a 6-under-par 66.

Patricia MacMillan, Tim Donahue, Debra Donahue and Ciperon Emerson finished first in the Third Flight net division with a 7-under-par 65, while Joe DeCerbo, John Schroeder, Dr. John Caruso and Roy Allen came in a close second with a 66.

Closest-to-the-pin winners were Teri Swisher, Rebecca Shatney, Tom Bates and Larry Hennen.

McFarling, who moved to SpringLake in the mid-1980s from Indiana, was an avid golfer and was instrumental in helping build the clubhouse and the first set of villas.

"Jim did so much for the game of golf," said Delaney. "We had three Sertoma Junior golf teams entered in the tournament and they are an outstanding group of young people."

The Sertoma Junior Golf Tour, which runs from June through mid-August, has been in existence for the past 13 years and the summer golf schedule gives junior golfers in the Heartland a great way to improve and hone their games at very affordable rates.

Andy Kesling took over for former Sebring Golf Club professional Tom McClurg as the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour director two years ago and has helped to build the interest and attendance to the weekly summer events.

"Junior golfers are the future of the game," said Delaney. "We are excited about supporting the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour and we look forward to the future.

"We also want to thank the community because their support and generosity even in these tough economic times is greatly appreciated."

Highlands Today senior sports writer Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com.

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