Tournament could see new champ

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By LARRY HURRLE

Staff Writer

The 4th annual Silver Valley Golf Championships, sponsored by the Shoshone County News-Press and KWAL Radio, is slated to kick off this weekend in a different format from previous years.

For three years the tournament was 18 holes (nine holes in 1984 due to rain). The tourney will expand to a 36 hole, two day tournament this year, and will be played at both the Kellogg Country Club golf course in Pinehurst, and at the Shoshone Golf and Tennis Club at Big Creek.

“It’s a total valley thing so we thought we ought to play on both courses,” tournament committeeman Bob Masters said. “People were very interested in playing on both courses.”

The 2-day tournament will begin on Saturday with 18 holes at the Kellogg Country Club course. The second half of the tournament will be held Sunday at the Shoshone Golf and Tennis Club.

“I think it’s good to get golfers on both courses,” News-Press editor and publisher James A. Hall said about the tournament. “For a duffer like me, though, 36 holes of golf is an awful lot. I’m overwhelmed.”

The tournament is open to men and women 16 years of age and older.

Kellogg’s Bob Christensen has a virtual stranglehold on the tournament crown having won three straight titles. Christensen has not yet entered this year’s tournament , so a new champion could be in the offing this weekend.

Last year’s low net winners Corky Mattingly and George Sink — with scores of 42 — will return to this year’s tournament with hopes of gaining that title.

In women’s competition, Lou Etla Hodges and Min Thompson tied for last year’s low gross title with scores of 50, while Lilo Hadley was the low net winner, also with a score of 50.

Thus far, 42 entries are in, including 34 men and eight women.

Masters said that in past years, with the exception of 1984, there have been between 60 and 80 participants. In 1984 35 players took part in the tournament.

Masters said he expects over 60 competitors to sign up for the tourney by tee-off time.

Trophies will be awarded for low gross and low net finishers. Many other prizes will also be given away.

A new car will go to a lucky golfer who is the first to nail a hole-in-one at the Shoshone Golf and Tennis Club.

Entry fee for the tournament is $25 for club members and $30 for non members. Handicap and calloway divisions will be offered. Entry fees must be paid in advance.

Following the tournament, a prime rib awards dinner will be served at the Shoshone Golf and Tennis Club starting at 3 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee for the tournament covers the prime rib dinner.

Tournament entrants are encouraged to contract Sano Haldi at the Shoshone Golf and Tennis Club at 784-0161 for tee times in the tournament.

“We are hoping for a great turnout and we are praying for super weather,” Hall said about the weekend. “I think it will be a good tournament again this year.”