Acevedo Group Wins Decker Memorial Tourney

It was nearly two years ago when Doc Decker passed away, but the jovial and generous former Spring Lake resident is still alive in the hearts of his many friends.

That was never more evident than on Saturday morning, when nearly 140 golfers braved a frigid start and warmed up to a picture-perfect afternoon at the inaugural Doc Decker Memorial golf tournament at Spring Lake Golf Resort's Panther Creek golf course.

Friend and tourney director Larry Hennen said Decker - a longtime member of the Spring Lake Presbetyrian Church - was always instrumental in heading fundraisers for the church, "whether it was for an AC or a new roof."

But Decker's first love was golf, all the way up to the end.

"The last tournament Doc played in was the Jim McFarland Memorial tournament," Hennen said. "His team won and Doc passed away that night.

"What a way to go."

Hennen said Decker was a member of the church choir and ran a Saturday morning golf group. He said his friend of seven years could often be seen singing and laughing and was as well-liked a guy as you could find.

"Probably one of the best attributes I've heard about him is that Doc never had anything bad to say about anyone," Hennen said. "That's not a bad compliment."

And neither was the turnout at Decker's namesake tourney: 137 players teed it up and 167 signed up for a benefit dinner.

And when the scores were counted, the A flight went to the group of Jimmy Acevedo, Bill Patton, Jim Fralc and Will Carrdor at -22, followed by Red Bohanan, Bo Bohanan, Ed Vowels and Gene Hearn (-19) and Harry Lasiter, Kyle Garner, Bob Pollard and Ryan Saddlebauer (-17).

The B flight was won by Bill Turner, Travis Turner, Ryan Thornton and Joey Desimone at -14, followed by Pat Dell, Lars Byand, Camiel White, and Jamie Dell (-13) and Curt Matterson, Ron Voncolln, Larry Aldrich and Jean Terrell (-12).

The C flight was won by Joe DeCerbo, John Danko, Doc Caruso and Roy Allen at -13, followed by Bill Rentel, Cal Swisher, Sr., Jim Vaughn and Cal Swisher, Jr., (-10) and Rich Eastep, Virginia Eastep, Wayne Nelson and Jan Nelson (-9).

The D flight was won by Ervin Spitzer, Joe Stephens, Dorwin Van Gundy, and Don Truckermiller at -9, followed by Frank Hopkinson, Fiorella Trisano, George Yute and Sandy Yute (-7) and Lou Crouch, Marlene Crouch, Dayton Merrit and Ray McKenzie (-5).

Closest to the pin went to Tony Gilbert (No. 2), Bill Rentel (No. 7), Debbie Delaney (No. 11), and Dennis Rogers (No. 16). Closest to the line went to Becky Shatney at long drive went to Lars Bylund.

The tournament raised more than $4,500 for the church.

"I really appreciate the support of everyone," Hannen said.

Doc Decker Memorial Golf Tournament

Saturday at Panther Creek

Flight winners

A Jimmy Acevedo, Bill Patton, Jim Fralc, Will Carrdor (-22)

B Bill Turner, Travis Turner, Ryan Thornton and Joey Desimone (-14)

C Joe DeCerbo, John Danko, Doc Caruso and Roy Allen (-13)

D Ervin Spitzer, Joe Stephens, Dorwin Van Gundy, and Don Truckermiller (-9)