Brocks, Biles, Richey card 51 for Rotary title

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Brandon Hodges watches his tee shot on No. 9 sail down the fairway. (Rob Nunley, Dale Stubblefield photos)

The 19th annual Rotary Golf Classic was held yesterday at the McMinnville Country Club, with a throng of teams vying for prizes in the yearly charity event.

But one team stood out above the rest, winning by a stroke after carding a score of 51.

A group of 34 four-person teams took part this year, going after prizes in three flights while helping support the morning and noon Rotary clubs’ local high school scholarship fund.

Steve Biles, Brad Brock, Brent Brock and Chris Richey brought home first place in the Championship flight, narrowly edging the foursome of Zack Molloy, Kenny McCormick, Chad Newby and John McFadden.

Third place, with a score of 54, went to Butch and Grant Bullen and Andrew and Greg Brock.

In the First flight, three teams tied at 58, with Webber Cantrell, Troy Jones, Danny Sutton and Junior Medley taking first place after a scorecard playoff.

Justin King, Hunter Sain, Kevin Mingle and Rick Hutton were second, while Kenny Neal, Bob Jones, Phil Whisenhunt and David Martalla took home third place.

A score of 61 won the second flight, and was brought in by the foursome of Joe Pugh, Frank Moore, Tom Gallagher and James Phifer. Another scorecard playoff was needed after four teams tied at 62, and Ron Talbert, Shane Petty, Joe Williams and Mike Brown came away with second place. Terry Smith, Jackie Matheny Jr., Mickey Ralph and John Odom took third.

Individual prize-winners for coming closest to the hole were: Monte Hale, No. 2; Gene Ritz, No. 7; Todd Herzog, No. 14; and Corker Deloach, No. 17. Andrew Brock had the longest drive on No. 3, while Jerry Helton had the straightest drive on No. 8. Brandon Hodges sank the longest putt on No. 7.

For full scores and photos of several of the top teams, see Wednesday’s edition of the Standard.