ELK CITY RETAINED BEDLAM CUP WITH SOLID PLAY

Team Hollis Country Club

The second edition of the Bedlam Cup Matches by Great Plains National Bank hosted six teams of 16 players, including two teams from Elk City Golf & Country Club. The day for golf could not have been better... starting and ending with the fact that the projected rain did not come until a few hours after  the last stroke of the 27 hole tournament had been struck..., with all of its power, lightning and 1 1/2" of water in about 20 minutes! Had it caught us in the course, it is probable that the tournament may have been cancelled or reduced to 18 or nine holes. Thank you God!

Team Sayre Golf Club

The matches, intended to be a friendly competition between sister cities in Western Oklahoma is still in its infancy, and this year it hosted teams from Mangum (second appearance) plus a first time teams from Hollis, Cordell and Sayre, all of whom we thank for their participation and friendship. We hope that you had a good time and that you felt at home and that "ya'all" come and visit us!

Each team of 16 players was divided into eight (8) 2-Man teams that played 9 holes "low ball" (mandatory on holes 1-9), 9 holes "scramble" (mandatory on holes 10-18), and 9 holes "alternate shots" (all 18 holes were used with half of each team playing the front nine and half playing the back nine).

Team Cordell Country Club

The best 4 scores in each format were matched between each team (1st score vs 1st score, 2nd score vs 2nd score, etc). One point was awarded for a match-up in "low ball" and "scramble" and 2 points for each match up in "alternate shots".

After the first eighteen holes, the local favorite, the "A" team of Elk City, led by club champion Russ Smith and brother Cory (former all American and former club pro in Elk City) had won 39 out of possible 40 points (19 1/2 each in "low ball" and "scramble), Elk City "B" was second with 27 1/2 points, Sayre was at 22 points and Mangum was next at 14 1/2.

Team Mangum Golf Club

With 40 points per team possible  in the "alternate shot" scramble, it was mathematically possible for any team, to actually win the cup, something most everyone felt was not possible. The short term goal of the trailing teams was to see who could win the "silver medal" against the "Dream Team", and the long term long would be to see if anyone could catch lighting in a bottle and upset the "A" team. When the last stroke was played, the "A" team retained the lead by socring 39 points of possible 40 and winning a total of 78 points of 80!

With that correct prediction in mind, the "short term" goal was still alive and in play and Mangum and Sayre had their sights on Elk City "B".

Team Elk City Golf & Country Club "A"

Evidently, Brad Spitzer, our friend, member (dual member in Sayre and Elk City) and team captain from Sayre, did the right changes and hole assignments and outsmarted me (I did the pairings for the "B" team) by winning 32 points in the last nine and took second place 54 points to 46 1/2 (we won 19 points out of 40). Mangum came in fourth place with 32 1/2 points.

IN THE END THE ORIGINAL OBJECTIVE OF THE TOURNAMENT WAS ACHIEVED: EVERYONE HAD FUN!

I'd like to close by thanking Mark Russell, Bob Maine, Robert Garton and Erika Elsron from Great Plains National Bank and the Williamson family (Mike, Jordan & Jonathan) for their support of this event, as well as all of the players listed below (listed in alphabetical order by first name):

Team Elk City Golf & Country Club "B"

HOLLIS COUNTRY CLUB: Chad Shotts, Chris Ellison, Colby Davidson, Colby Earls, David Cummins (Captain), Gary Lynn Randall, Gary Robinson, Herbert Johnson, Jim Moore, Larry Daniel, Larry Taylor, Michael Moore, Roger Robinson, Russell Riley, Shane Cobb, Wilcey Rippetoe.

SAYRE GOLF CLUB: Allan Barnett, Bill Arganbright, Bobby Martin, Brad Spitzer (Captain), Bryan Markham, Craig Puckett, Geary Don Burrows, Jacob Mayfield, Jay Moynihan, Justin Robinson, Michael Robinson, Mike Robinson, Stan Perry, Steve Brooks, Warren Mayfield, Wayne Robinson.

CORDELL COUNTRY CLUB: Brian Wenninger, Doug Bardwell, Gary Adkins, Gary Madison, Holden McCracken, Jerry Burrows, Jim Burrows, Kelly Wilmouth, Ken McCracken, Mac Brunker, Max Booth, Randy Britton, Randy Wenninger (Captain), Ryan Walton, Sonny Clay, Terry Britton.

MANGUM GOLF CLUB: Charlie Patrick, Clay Toole, Cody Toole, Dean Colvins, Gordon Layman, Jay Cross, Jymmy Joe Martin, Kacy Marquat, Kirk Towe, Matt Monroe, Merlin Nippert, Michael Hamblin, Robert Garton (Captain), Ron Lehrman, Rusty Rickerd, Travis Reese.

ELK CITY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (Both Teams): Alfred Galyean, Andrew Albert, Berek Dyson, Blake Brewer, Blake Walker, Bob Miller, Brad O'hara, Brandon Thomas, Brock Walker, Cory Smith, Craig Martin, David Dyson, Don Andrews, Eddie Davis, Grady Lantz, Greg Dodson, Jack Christian, Jeff Rule, Jeremy Gray, Jordan WIlliamson, Jorey Price, Keith Hulen, Logan Gore, Mike Starbuck, Paul Gunkel, Ronnie Smith, Russ Smith (Captain "A"), Rocky Andresen, Rusty Wilson, Sean Cowan, Shawn Wilson, Tyler Windsor.