It was an absolutely gorgeous day for the 24th Annual Larry and June Walthall Benton County Cancer Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The event is held to help raise funds for the Benton County Cancer Fund which provides funds to Benton Countians dealing with cancer. Hundreds of county residents are helped each year with much thanks to fundraisers like the golf tournament. Assistance of the BCCF is based on the patient’s address, not financial need.
This event was started by Larry and June in 2000, and Larry helped kick it off again this year to a good start by being there first thing in the morning and spending a good part of the day at the course as well!
A total of $36,995 was raised at this year’s event and the committee is so grateful to every volunteer, all participants, sponsors, those who contributed baskets and items to raffle, other committee members, friends, family members and Shawnee Bend Golf Course and its employees for all of their help.
The format was a 4-person scramble with a full field of players. Teams had a lot of score improvement opportunities, several hole prize games, a putting contest and a 50/50 contest.
Winners of this year’s tournament were as follows:
1st place was taken by the team of Donnie Nichols, David Looker, Mike Murray and Brad Spencer who recorded a 49.
2nd place, winning on a playoff hole with a 55 was John Ward, Dustin Gemes, Gary Jones and Even Engebretsen.
3rd place with another score of 55 was the team of Corbin Cain, Josh Sater, Donnie Worthley and Brandon Boatman.
The infamous “next-to-last” team was Carl Buckner, Marsha Buckner, Amy Kessel and James Freeman who turned in a 65.
All teams donated their cash winnings back to the fund.
The hole prize winners were as follows:
Longest putt, Hole #1: Kara Sheeley and Dale Wiley.
Closest to the pin, Hole #5: Danielle Reynolds and Jerry Cramer.
Closest to the snaking line, Hole #8: Kara Sheeley and Larry Garvin.
Most accurate drive, Hole #9: Chris Carroll and Devyn Strathman.
