Woodard quartet takes top prize in championship flight play at SWCC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 15, 2009 1:47 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Unsteady economic troubles didn't deter nearly 100 golfers from enjoying an afternoon of camaraderie at Southern Wayne Country Club on Saturday.

The 23 teams converged on the 18-hole course to raise money for cancer research during the 15th annual Tinker Best Golf Classic. Tournament organizers said the competitors helped bring in $35,000 for this year's event, which benefits cancer survivors -- students and parents -- who attend Mount Olive College (Tinker Best Scholarship) and the American Cancer Society.

In its short existence, the annual Classic has raised approximately $1 million.

"With the economy like it is today, it's fantastic to have these people that we have out here today," said Classic organizer Greg Eloshway. "It's a tribute to Southern Wayne Country Club and the area (golfers) that we've been able to have this tournament along with our gracious donors.

"The folks here are just amazing."

Nearly 100 players competed in three flights during the four-man, superball outing.

The foursome of Tim Woodard, Ryne Woodard, Scott Woodard and David Woodard -- who represented Southern Bank #3 -- shot a championship flight and tournament-low 55. The foursome finished one stroke ahead of Jackson & Sons.

The quartet of Bruce Sasser, Connie Sasser, Jeff Brogden and Ed Rector -- who played for Best Used Cars #2 -- emerged the first flight winners with a 57. Runner-up Southern Bank #2 finished four strokes back.

Team Whitfield -- Heath, Doyle, Taylor Jones and Ryan Fields -- fired a round of 63 and claimed the top spot among second flight teams. Butterball #2 ended up one stroke back and five strokes separated six of the eight foursomes participating in the flight.

Bob Shackelford, Stephanie Kornegay, Robin Albertson and Mike Rackley each won the closest-to-the-pin competition on four different holes. Aaron Akin and Lynn Sox posted the longest drives for men and women, respectively, on No. 18.

A pair of Apache LLP Trucks competitors battled the hot and humid conditions -- 80-year-old Eugene Eloshway and 86-year-old Jon Bergeron. The duo helped their four-man squad stay within contention during second flight play.

Eloshway gushed all afternoon as he constantly thanked the golfers for their generosity and for playing in the Classic.

"The bottom line is we're keeping this tournament going to a certain point, which is more than what is happening in some areas because of the economy," said Eloshway.

The Tinker Best Classic is one of five major fund-raising tournaments contested at Southern Wayne CC each year. The club also plays host to the Handy Mart-MOC Invitational, the Pickle Classic, Andy's Foundation and the Mike Martin Memorial.