Meridian open golf

May 19, 2008 11:55 am

— By Susie Broadhead
Special to The Star
It took a tiebreaker to determine the winner of East Mississippi State Hospital's Second Annual Meridian Open Golf Classic held earlier this month at NAS Meridian's Ponta Creek Course — but with a score of 62, Phoenix Specialty Care, LLC's team earned bragging rights for a year as well as $450 cash.
Larry McKnight, Jason McKnight and Bobby Nicholson were team members. Second place went to Baptist Home Medical Services, LLC's team with Judd Nance, Ronnie Harris and Roy Graham earning $300 in prize money after also shooting a 62.
ByPass One Stop with Johnny Boykin, David Kirk and Andrew Riley took home third place honors and $225 with a score of 63.
The Meridian Open Golf Classic is a benefit tournament held annually to support FRIENDS, East Mississippi State Hospital's volunteer organization that promotes a better understanding of mental health and the needs of the mentally ill.
Through FRIENDS, funds are raised for hospital projects that will improve the quality of life for individuals receiving services. The golf tournament has been a welcome and most successful addition to events sponsored by the organization.
According to golf committee member Phil Jenkins, the goal of The Meridian Open is that the first-Friday-in-May happening will become a "must play" among area golfers. In order to get to that status, this year's tournament awarded additional prize money in increments of $150 to four wild card teams.
After the top three places were determined, random team numbers were drawn with the following players receiving $50 each: Charles Carlisle, Lee Burrell and Chris Burrell; Mark Joyner, Clay Bailey and Wayne Litton; Kevin Rash, Zach Robinson and Josh Robinson; and Robb Black, Joey Watkins and Andy Hall.
Roy Graham, Reuben Little, Mickey Sellers and Bill Smith were awarded $100 each for closest-to-the-hole honors, longest drive and straightest drive.
Under the direction of Ponta Creek golf pro Dave Atkins and his MWR staff, the tournament provided an air of competiveness as well as friendly play throughout the day.
NAS Meridian not only welcomed 108 golfers to its greens, but numerous employees and friends of East Mississippi State Hospital who assisted in making The Meridian Open Golf Classic a success.
For information regarding the 2009 tournament, call EMSH's Public Information Department at 601-481-1241.