Weather was perfect for Van Buren Chamber golf classic

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
[email protected]

It was a hole-in-one for the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce at the Fourth Annual Golf Classic at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Alma on Monday. The event raised about $8,000 for the chamber’s education scholarship programs and other programs funded by the chamber throughout the year. Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative was the presenting sponsor.

A barbecue lunch at noon was sponsored by Cox Business Systems for the 20 four-person teams. Chicken, beans, potato salad and cookies were donated by Tyson, Butcher Boys and The Hampton Inn, respectively. Zaxby’s donated party trays for the post tournament awards presentation and get-together.

"It’s a great time for casual fellowship and networking — and we had a lot of networking going on during lunch. It’s always a great deal of fun," said Jackie Krutsch, executive director of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce.

The teams took to the links in a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The weather couldn’t have been any better as golfers made their way around the course. Three carts cruised the course offering refreshments. Green Source Recycling and First Community bank passed out soft drinks and water while Goody’s Frozen Yogurt, a new sponsor this year, had several well-frozen flavors packed in a cooler. Green Source Recycling also presented door prizes to every entrant.

Every hole on the course had at least one sponsor who donated $150 for the privilege of advertising. In total there were 24 hole sponsors. Rhodes Chevrolet sponsored Hole No. 2 and offered a new Chevrolet Silverado to anyone making a hole-in-one on that green. The truck remained unclaimed at the end of the tournament.

For the first flight, The Arvest Bank team finished in first place. Team Western Arkansas Planning and Development District/188th Fighter Wing took second place. In the second flight it was Ultimutt Dog Care in first place and Cox Communication taking second place. Both first place teams won $200, or $50 per person, and the second place teams took home $100 each, Kutsch said.

Other teams entered in the tournament were: Acme Brick, Citizens Bank, Experian, Gary’s Collison Center, Green Source Recycling, State Farm Insurance, Senator Bruce Holland, OG&E, Bekaert Steel, River City Coatings, Progressive Business Systems, Summit Medical Center, Swaim Office Products, Federal Credit Union, U.S. Bank and U.S. National.