Kick-off Classic draws golfers from throughout East Texas

Members of the Diboll High School (DHS) coaching staff hosted their first-ever Kick-off Classic Golf Tournament this past Saturday at Neches Pines Golf Course and according to DHS Athletic Director Gary Martel it was a great tournament.

"We are extremely pleased with the number of players that participated in our tournament. We had a total of nine teams that turned out and beautiful weather for the day.

The tournament got underway with a shotgun start and when the final putt was made, the four-man team of Tommy Day, Eric Wright, Willie Ricks and Todd Ricks walked away with first place posting a score of 59.

Second place honors went to the team of Luis Maldanado, Jimmy Mettlen, Henry Houl and Kenny Williams with a total of 61. Ron Whitmire, Charles Redwine, Jim Laudermill and Trey Biggs took third place with a score of 61.

Other prizes went to Tommy Day, closest to the pin on 17; Hector Hernandez, long drive and Jimmy Mettlen, closest to the pin, on number 3.

Other participants include Gerardo Rojas, Hector Hernandez, Robert Compean, Daniel Zarzoza, T. J. Johnson, Randy Prescott, Tom Farley, Richard Farley, John Burnett, Brian Kruk, John Martin, Edwin Quarles, Jimmy Davis, Gary Martel, Bruce Bolden mark Kettering, Larry Baker, Fox Adams, Leslie Kilgore, Roy Allen, Matt Knight, Duncan Culpepper, Chris Lashley and Emily Breedlove.

Martel said, "We want to thank each and everyone who participated in our tournament and a special thanks to our sponsors. The proceeds raised from the event will benefit our athletes, both boys and girls, during the upcoming school year. Next year we anticipate more prize money and the event will include using handicaps."

Sponsors for this year's event included First Bank & Trust, Service Master, Advanced Financial Group, Flowers Paint & Bidy, Stephen Lewis Insurance, McWilliams & Son A/C, ABC Auto Parts, Ron's Trophys, AAA Trophy, Martel Welding Works, F&F Sports, Kingman Construction, Morrison Supply, Gann/Medford Realtors, Pouland's Shadetree Photography, Lynn Pavlick, Angelina Steel, Pepsi and The Donut Shop.