Local group defends Buick title

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

A team representing McMinnville Country Club won the state’s Buick Scramble for the fourth straight year Monday. Pictured, from left, are Steve Biles, Alan Lynn, Hank Patton, Gene Ritz and Brad Brock. (Photo provided)

A McMinnville Country Club golf team has successfully defended its championship in the Buick Scramble for a fourth time after posting a 16-under par in the gross division.

The team of Hank Patton, Brad Brock, Alan Lynn, Steve Biles and Gene Ritz earned their way to Orlando after turning in a 28 on the front nine and 28 on the back nine after playing the Links at Kahite on Monday in Loudon County at Tellico Village.

Patton, Brock, Lynn, Biles and Ritz also finished with a 17-under in the net results.

“I say this to everyone who plays in a scramble, it’s not about ball striking, it’s putting,” said McMinnville Country Club pro Hank Patton.

“The course was one of the longest I have ever played. Our team had some long hitters, but it came down to putting. We had six or seven putts over 20 feet and one from about 60 feet. Our putting made the difference at the end of the day. All three teams from McMinnville did really well.”

Two other teams from McMinnville also competed, but didn’t make the cut. Sean Wells, Keith Powers, Vernon Powers, Yogi Powers and Clint Powell carded a 7-under in the gross division and -8 in the net.

Kelvin Burgin, Lonnie Capshaw, Ron Rigsby, Anthony Morris and Terry Newcome turned in a -5 in the gross division and an 8-under par in the net.

Patton, Brock, Ritz, Lynn and Biles will head to Orlando in October as the finals will be held the 13 through the 16th.