Sertoma golf is a major success

The 33rd annual Sertoma/Highlands Independent Bank golf tournament attracted a record 268 golfers over the weekend at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

That's a record turnout for the popular tournament, which utilized a two-person team format which played best ball on Saturday and a scramble format in Sunday's final round.

Both the Deer Run and Turtle Run courses, which were well-conditioned and in outstanding shape, were used to accommodate the large field.

The Championship Flight was won by the talented duo of Jeff Fleeman and Mark Dull with a two-day gross score of 125, while Bruce Cumbess and Greg Ellis placed second with a 130 and Dale Reed and Tim Devlin finished third at 132.

Scott Hertel and Mike Byrum won the First Flight with a 134, while Robert Georges and Perry Pasinetti placed second with a 137 after a match of cards with Mike Browning and Mark Pinson.

"It was a wonderful turnout and a great two days of golf," said Sun 'N Lake assistant professional Andy Kesling. "The courses are in the best shape they've been in and all the golfers seemed to enjoy themselves."

The Second Flight was won by Mark Ginn and Jeff Dicks in a playoff over Mike Moore and Darren Sapp after both teams shot a 135 and Todd Wilson and Lee Wilson came in third with a 140.

In the Third Flight, Ray Stepson and Andy Baney came in first with a 131, Bill Winningham and Larry Smith claimed second with a 140 and David Whidden and Rick Baney finished third at 142.

Larry Henegar and Pete Almazan took first in the Fourth flight with a 139, while Todd Bunday and Andy Augusto placed second at 143 and Dana Harris and Dennis Firth took third with a 145.

In the Fifth Flight, Charles Peebles and Russ Clement came in first with a 140, Mike Zimmerman and Greg Kramer finished second with a 142 and Ronnie Handley and Chuck Waltman claimed third place at 144.

Jason Johnson and Kenny Futch won the Sixth Flight with a 145, Jim Bennett and L.C. Smith came in second place with a 151 and Dennis Tondee and Dave Greenslade claimed third at 155.

In the Seventh Flight, Steve Griffin and Byron Holcomb finished first with a 141, while Tom Griffin and Greg Stupinski placed second at 152 and Mark Cox and Jim McCall came in third place with a 154.

Jady Prescott and Scott Dressell won the Eighth Flight in a playoff over Ted Kudlinski and Terry Little after both teams tied at 155, while Linda Keith and Bob Wiegers finished in third place with a 160.

In the Ninth Flight, Don Darroh and Paul Repa finished first with a 159, while Mike Kirsch and Michael Halloran came in second place with a 165 and Chris White and Frank Caputo took third place with a 168.

The tournament is a fundraiser for the Sertoma Club and the proceeds go to the hearing and speech impaired of Highlands County, the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour, ARC, Boy Scouts of Highlands County and many other worthy causes.

"We had a record number of players for the tournament and it was a great two days of golf," said Sertoma member and tournament director Scott Albritton. "Half our field comes from Highlands County and the other half from around the state.

"Being able to have the awards dinner in the beautiful new Sun 'N Lake Country Club 19th hole was also a real treat for everyone and we can't thank our sponsors and everyone in the community enough for their outstanding support."