Twenty-two teams of golf enthusiasts started their week on the greens at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce's fifth annual golf tournament Monday at Cherokee Ranch Golf Course. This was the Chamber's first tournament since moving the event from spring to fall.
"The fifth annual golf tournament was a great event held this year on a Monday," said Chamber President Peggy Renfro. "The support of the sponsors and those playing made a perfect way to start the week. Cherokee Ranch Golf Club is a great location and beautiful course."
It was noted that there were fewer teams participating in this tournament than in the previous year, however, board chair and participant Dillon Rodriguez believes the number is more a reflection on the day of the week on which the tournament was held rather than the move of the tournament from spring to fall.
"We had it on a Monday this year compared to Fridays in the past. Going forward, we plan on keeping it being on a Friday," he said.
There was another change to the tournament that the chamber will be keeping.
"This year we added some different opportunities for teams to subtract strokes from their score and heard positive feedback on it, " Rodriguez said. "It's always a confidence booster when you can shoot low in golf, no matter how you got there!"
The top spot in the tournament went to the team consisting of J.R. Ault, Skeeter Irby, Patrick Patillo and Anthony Williams. Team members received gift sets from Kiepersol and a plaque commemorating their win.
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Trace Reed, Tanner Emery, Bill Young and William Young secured second and a new cooler each for their efforts.
Securing second place was the team sponsored by McDonalds Jacksonville, consisting of Tanner Emery, Trace Reed, Bill Young and William Young. Each member took home a cooler for his part in the team's second place standing.
Dillon Rodriguez, Ernest Rodriguez, Steven Markasky and Justin Rodriguez, sponsored by Texas National Bank, earned a third place finish. Their winnings consisted of two $50 gift cards, one to Bralys Ace Hardware and one for Roma Italian Bistro.
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Third place finishers Dillon Rodriquez, Ernest Rodriguez, Steven Markasky and Justin Rodriguez walked away with gift cards to Bralys Ace Hardware and Roma Italian Bistro.
Sponsored by VCare Pharmacy, Jacksonville Police Department team members Houston Munsiger, Joe Williams, David Enriquez and Amanda Bragg took the Lame Duck award - not a bad way to take home a new fishing pole.
Bragg said the last place finish was not planned.
"We just went out to have a good time. Where we ended up is where we ended up," she said.
After noting Assistant Chief Steven Markasky participated on the team that finished third, Bragg said, "Being the lame duck is not exactly the bad spot to be in. Where else can you go, come in last and get nice prizes?"
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The Jacksonville Police Department team, represented by Houston Munsinger, Joe Williams, David Enriquez and Amanda Bragg, took home fishing poles, having earned the last place Lame Duck award.
While Williams asked how one plans to finish last, he did suggest the Lame Duck prize be increased in value next year as he'd be in the running for it.
"I own golf clubs but the last time I swung them prior to this event was last year's event. You can't expect to have excellence if you only play once a year," Police Chief Joe Williams said. "It's all about having fun and supporting our community."
Williams said the team was appreciative of VCare's sponsorship.
"I hope they got their value in advertising because we did get them in the newspaper," he said.
Renfro said the tournament was successful due to all the volunteers and the support of local businesses. She offered special gratitude to Christus Mother Frances Jacksonville, which served as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year.