Nobody in their right mind plays golf when temperatures are in the 20s, which is what’s projected for this weekend in Southeast Texas. As a result, there was no choice but to postpone Saturday’s Bryan Jackson Benefit at Belle Oaks.
The good news is that coming up with another date was fairly easy, thanks to Chris Stroud’s willingness to work with the people staging the event. Stroud, the event’s celebrity headliner, supplied three Saturday’s when he could be available and the one selected was Jan. 30.
Anybody entered in the tournament needs to spread the word to guys on their team that the date has been backed up three weeks. The celebrity player auction and silent auction, originally set for Friday night, Jan. 8, will now be Friday night, Jan. 29 at a location to be announced.
The downside of having to change dates is that some of the celebrities who were committed for Jan. 9 have conflicts that will prevent their participation. It is anticipated, however, that some celebrities who weren’t available for the original date may be able to play on Jan. 30.
Because of some of Jackson’s short-term needs, the tournament committee voted Tuesday to present him a check for $6,000 out of entry fees and donations already received. A bigger second check is hoped for from additional entry fees, the player auction, the silent auction and raffle tickets sold on a refurbished golf cart donated by Bobby Stringer and David Hoelzer of Paradise Golf Carts.
Charles Nacol Jr. of Charles S. Nacol Jewelry, a classmate of Jackson’s at Thomas Jefferson High School, provided the latest boost for the silent auction with his Tuesday donation of a TAGHeuer professional golf watch with a retail value of $1,600.
One of the most talked about items in the auction is a football autographed by Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Romo surely increased the value of the football with his performance last Sunday against Philadelphia. If Dallas is still playing when the auction rolls around on Jan. 29, which would mean Super Bowl, the bidding could get pretty intense.
Local NFL star Jamaal Charles also inflated the value of his autographed football and autographed Kansas City Chiefs jersey with a record-setting performance in the Chiefs final regular season game. Charles, if he’s in town that weekend, will be invited to attend the auction.
Although a full field of 28 teams is entered in the tournament, a waiting list has been started. Because of the date change, it’s possible some teams will withdraw. Anyone wanting to get on the waiting list should call Babe Zaharias professional Ed Campbell at 722-8286.
CHIP SHOTS: Registration is ongoing for the 2010 Southeast Texas Junior Winter Tour, which is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 18 as of March 1. The six-tournament tour kicks off Jan. 23 at Bayou Din. Other stops are Jan. 30 at Idylwild, Feb. 6 at Babe Zaharias, Feb. 13 at Henry Homberg, Feb. 20 at Brentwood and the Tour Championship Feb. 27 at Wildwood. Juniors must have played in two tournaments to be eligible for the Tour Championship. Entry fee for each tournament is $20. Any seeking additional information should contact Ed Campbell at 722-8286. Sponsors for this year’s Junior Winter Tour are the Babe Zaharias DogFight Association; Pepsi Bottling Group; Dave Thomas — Morgan Stanley; Ray Moore, Economy Insulation, RSC Equipment; Bill & Kathryn Fouts, Charles Moses, MD; Dr. Boyd Herndon, Ronnie Pflieder, U.S. Flag & Flagpole and Blackhawk Speciality Company . . . In the only reported golf activity of the past week, Jim Brown won the Friday Seniors at Belle Oaks with plus four points. Rufus Mier was second at minus 2, followed by Norm Shannon at minus 8. Mier won closest to the pin on No. 15.
Golf news should be faxed to 724-6454 or e-mailed to rdwest@usa.net.
