Published: May 03, 2008 01:44 am         

Long hitters help team to win at benefit golf tournament

WOLFE CITY — When you’re playing a golf scramble it always helps to have some long drivers in the group.

Just ask the winning team on Friday at the American Cancer Society John Henry Memorial Golf Tournament at Webb Hill Country Club. Long hitters Chase Johnson and Zach Newell helped their team win low gross honors with a 20-under total of 52 for 18 holes.

Matt Neyra, a former Greenville High School standout golfer, was also a member of that team along with David Hunter, local horse racing enthusiast John Adkisson and Richard Martin.

Two bankers from American National Bank, Joe Winniford and Shaun Franklin, helped their team claim low net honors with a 49.8 score. The team, which also included Danny Keene, Steve Reid, Mike Heine and Jerry Kirchman, shot a 17-under 55 without handicap.

Cooper coach Kris Crews helped his team finish second in low net with a 52.9. The team, which also included Sterling Newcomb, Jeremy Powell, Steve Thomas, Keith Willeford and Tim Linden, shot a 14-under 58 without handicap.

Keene won closest-to-the pin honors on No. 5, while Newcomb was closest on No. 7, Reid was closest on No. 12 and Martin was closest on No. 16.

Golf memorabilia, including framed photos of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tiger Woods and Jackie Gleason were among the auction items.

The event benefitted the Hunt County Unit of American Cancer Society.