Walkup group wins Firemen golf

There were so many low scores in the 10th annual Firemen's Memorial Golf Classic on Saturday that every flight had at least one match of cards to determine the winners.

The real winners from the fundraiser are the student-athletes in Highlands County, since the Sebring Firemen Inc. donates the proceeds to many worthy activities that youngsters are involved with in the Heartland.

The 18-hole tournament attracted more than 200 golfers, who used a four-person scramble format over the Deer Run and Turtle Run courses. The Championship Flight was won by the foursome of Brian Bone, Joel Walkup, Jason Walkup and Zach Walkup, who shot a 17-under-par 55 and won a match of cards with Floyd Osborne, Mike Lingenfelder, Ennis Caldwell and Tommy Todd.

The team of Art Williams, Jeff Gaddy, Art Hilton and Alfredo Jerdio, which also carded a 55, came in third place.

The First Flight was won by John Elder, Kurt Perkins, John Palmer and Larry Kelly with a 59, while Bear Brooker, John Havlin, Bobby Barben and Bobby Barben Jr. placed second with a 60 after a match of cards with Tommy Lovett, Scott Hitt, Harold Hitt and Lisa Lovett.

Jimbo Fann, Clay Bexton, Lonnie DuPriest and Devin Wheaton finished first in the Second Flight with a 55, while Jim Howard, Paul Williams, Allen Parker and Greg Hamilton came in second with a 58, and Rick Madewell, Ray Ashby, Rick Morton and John Boston claimed third with a 60.

The Third Flight was won by the foursome of Tim Baker, Robert Cannon, Bruce Baker and Darren Townsend with a 65, while Barry Bitner, Bret Goldman, Zach Rice and Ken Danielson placed second with a 66 after a match of cards with John Smoak, Stuart McGahee, Doug Purvis and Steve Smith.

Tim Baker won closest-to-the-pin honors on hole No. 15 on the Turtle Run course, while John Gose was the closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 14 on Deer Run.

Don Young had the longest drive on hole No. 10 on Deer Run, while Jady Prescott had the longest drive on hole No. 1 on Turtle Run.

Last year's tournament raised more than $25,000, and Sebring Firemen and tournament director Tommy Lovett Sr. is hoping this year's event can do the same.

"We had a great turnout for this year's tournament and we can't thank the community enough for their continued support of our event," said Lovett Sr. "All the proceeds go to the children in the community and that's something that Sebring Firemen Inc. are glad to be able to do."