Chamber golf tourney goes well

Ellis Spencer goes for a shot during the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce's golf tournament, held July 13 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. The team he was on also included Dean Mann, Ryan Comstock and Bob Garner.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Despite a delay caused by lightning, the 18th annual Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic was a success, Executive Director Lindsay Madison said.

Seventy-six people -- 19 teams with four people each -- participated in the agency's annual fundraiser, held July 13 at the Woodland Hills Golf Course. Lunch was served. The city-owned course now has all 18 holes open.

"I've heard real positive feedback that everybody had a great time," Madison said. "... We had great support from our sponsors and people who donated and businesses that donated raffle items. We heard positive feedback from everyone, especially regarding the course," although the grass was dry.

Even with the weather delay, Madison said "it didn't mess anything up.

"We had a great tournament last year," she said. "I think we even improved upon that. We'll have a wrap-up meeting next Monday (July 25) to go over anything that we could improve upon for next year and any suggestions from people playing."

Golf tournaments always seem to be a steady way of obtaining contributions to different causes.

"It's a way for people to have fun as well as donating to whatever the cause may be," Madison said. "It's kind of killing two birds with one stone."

Two upcoming events the chamber is working on, for which details still have to be worked out, are a sales tax discount for back to school and a possible Aug. 10 business seminar, led by Mark Shead.

The first weekend in August, the chamber plans to have participating retailers offer an 8.8 percent discount, similar to sales tax holidays offered in other states around the same time. Madison said it's hoped this will encourage people to shop locally.

A Taste of Home Cooking School, a live cooking show complete with audience participation, is also planned for Sept. 13.

Winners of the 18th annual Chamber Golf Classic, held July 13 at the Woodland Hills Golf Course:

* -- A Flight: 1. SEK Financial (Mitch Quick, Jim Sather, Chuck Scammel, Rex Hall), 57; 2. Union State Bank (Randy Holt, Ken Holt, Matt Noll, Ron Eldridge), 58; 3. WinVent/Liberty Savings (Aaron Malone, Brian McGowen, Mark Lewis, Vic Anderson 58.

* -- B Flight: 1. Nuss & Farmer, PA (Larry Nuss, Theron Nuss, Bob Farmer, Bill Meyer), 62; 2. Nuss/Madison (Beth Nuss, Lindsay Madison, Luke Thomas, Blake Lundberg), 62; 3. Twister Trailer (Ken Richmond, Royce Hyer, Ross Holt, Jessie Ornelas), 62.

(The tie was broken with the score on the 14th hole. Nuss & Farmer shot 3 on that hole, Nuss/Madison 4 and Twister Trailer 5.)

* -- C Flight: 1. Hudson & Mullies (Blake Hudson, Norm Conard, Megan Felt, Mark Ward), 63; 2. Carlisle No. 2 (Dan Herford, Dustin Fly, Mikhail Gonzales, Jason Harris, 65; 3. Carlisle No. 1. (Dean Jones, Jamie Maycumber, Mike Harper, Tyler Cox), 67.

* -- Men's Longest Drive: Blake Lundberg.

* -- Women's Longest Drive: Beth Nuss.

* -- Longest Putt: Mark Ward.

* -- Closest to the Pin: John Leek.

* -- Chipping Contest: Ellis Spencer.