By Lori Brown
LIBERTY — July 17, 2007 — The Liberty Elks Club held its sixth annual golf tournament on Sunday at the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club.
Approximately 112 people enjoyed a wonderful day of golf and supported Liberty Elks Club #1545.
Some of the golfers were from Sullivan County, but others came from as far away as Brewster, Middletown, Port Jervis and Connecticut. A total of 28 teams participated in the event.
Half of those teams started to play their 18 holes of golf at 8 a.m., while the other half began play at 1 p.m.
Some of the money raised by the tournament goes to charity to help the children through youth soccer and basketball programs, fishing contests and scholarships.
Many people and sponsors put a great deal of work into this annual event. For example, partners Jerry Ryan and Melissa Zimolka, owners of The Gopher’s Den, supplied their bar and restaurant for Sunday’s event and sponsor signs were prominently displayed by each hole.
“Garry Cassevah from [Garry’s] Great American was very helpful and Steve Gotley from The Trading Post was very generous,” said tournament director Harry Fox.
Mike Williams, Art Olson and Danny Knack cooked lunch for the golfers and guests. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they served hamburgers, hot dogs and macaroni salad.
Lyman and Gary Wood and their crew made delicious chicken over seasoned wood which was donated by Barry Klein. The dinner also included rolls, fruit, corn and baked potatoes.
In addition to the tournament play, other contests were held and extra awards were presented. They included a putting contest, most improved golfer, longest drive, closest to the shrub on the ground and closest to the pin.
The winner of the putting contest was Jim Green, while Frank Finn was named the most improved golfer.
The winners of the longest drive contest were Kyle Stevens and Kathy Hasbrouck.
J.W. Smith prevailed in the closest to the shrub contest and Gary Jones was the winner in the closest to the pin competition.
There was also a hole-in-one contest at the fourth hole. The first golfer to record a hole-in-one would win a two-year lease on a Ford Explorer from M&M Auto Group in Liberty and the second golfer to score a hole-in-one would win $500 in cash.
Unfortunately, none of the golfers scored an ace to claim either of those prizes.
The team of Janet Warren, Jean Sullivan, Jackie Harris and Nancy Collins finished first in the women’s division with a score of 75. The team of Joe Decker, Bob Decker, Mike Rushanski and Pat Decker recorded a 67 to earn first place in the mixed division.
The team of Don Hendrickson, Bucky Bowers, Gary Taggart and Jim Bowers carded a 59 to win the men’s division. The team of Bob Fix, Mike Botsford, Philip Beliawsky and Ron Monzo recorded a 60 to place second in the men’s division.
Liberty Elks Club exalted ruler John Clements thanked everyone for attending and playing in the tournament.
“If you get a chance, come and play it again,” Clements said of the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club course. “Thanks to all the management of this organization for all of their help. The Elks would like to thank the staff of The Sullivan County Golf and Country Club and all the generous people.”