Joyner-Parris claim Handy Mart-Mount Olive College Invitational

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 6, 2013 1:47 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Despite shooting the lowest second-day round of the tournament, playing partners Jeremy Joyner and Dane Jones knew one team could better their 36-hole score.

Unfortunately, they were right.

The tandem of Jay Joyner-Brent Parrish carded an eye-popping 23-under par 119 and claimed the 27th annual Handy Mart-Mount Olive College Invitational Golf tournament title at Southern Wayne Country Club on an overcast Sunday afternoon.

Joyner-Parrish each received an engraved crystal vase and gift certificates to the SWCC golf pro shop. SWCC head pro Howard Hunt, MOC director of planned giving Dwayne McKay and E.J. Pope president Pope participated in the post-tournament ceremony.

Joyner-Jones placed second at 120. The twosome of Clark Rose-Brad Jones, the reigning Invitational champions, captured third place in a card playoff over Michael Judge-Palmer Smith. Each duo posted a 36-hole mark of 18-under par.

Mark Raynor-Ken Avent Jr. captured first flight with a 16-under 126 after shooting a second-day score of 61. Brothers Gary and Steve Nagy grabbed second flight with a 131.

Chuck Gimble-Gene Hitch secured the third flight with a 135-138 triumph over Ellis Holland-Ron Van Dyke. Tom Buffkin-Dan Houston won fourth flight, while Matt Hunt-Benny Murphy took fifth flight with a 150.

The Handy Mart-MOC Invitational started in 1987 as a simple fund-raiser to gain increased financial support athletic scholarships in order for MOC to seek affiliation with the now-defunct Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference. There were 31 sponsors for the inaugural tournament and the event raised a little more than $25,000.

Two-and-a-half decades later, the Invitational has raised more than $2 million and awarded nearly 600 scholarships to deserving students.

"I have been with Mount Olive College for a year," Dr. John Blackwell, vice president for institutional advancement, said in a press release. "I am amazed at the way in which the love of golf matches commitment to higher education in eastern North Carolina. It is wonderful when supporters of the College can help us fund scholarships while enjoying the great game of golf, fellowship and friendly competition.

"I am deeply grateful to both organizers of this tournament and participants."

The 68 two-player teams combined to shoot 86 rounds below par on the SWCC layout, which presented challenging pin placements for the second day of competition.

Five golfers won closest-to-the-pin prizes -- Ted Grantham (No. 3), Tony Fish (No. 8), Johnny Baker (No. 11), Dan "Big Shot" Baker (No. 14) and Mark Raynor (No. 18).

More than 60 businesses are sponsors on five different levels for the two-day event. Nearly 20 patrons also support the Invitational, which undoubtedly helps the MOC Endowment Fund.