Meadowbrook Country Club to revive city championship

Meadowbrook Golf and County Club’s link to the early history of golf in Kilgore may soon be revitalized.

During the meeting of the Board of Directors, the Club announced plans for a city-wide golf championship open to all residents of Kilgore. The event is tentatively planned for the late spring or early summer of 2006.

The first authentic golf tournament ever played at Meadowbrook was the City Championship of 1933. The tournament was played annually through 1942 when it was suspended because of WW II. The 1942 winner, Jimmy Crouch, has remained the defending champion for over half a century. The City Championship began on the sand greens of early day Meadowbrook, a rural setting of hay meadows, pig farms, meandering creeks, and massive trees. The tournament was created by the club professional, the late Tilly Wilcox, in 1933 and ended with the last putt of the 1942 tournament. The tournament lasted ten years and counted some talented players among its winners.

The club will continue to host the annual invitational now called the Meadowbrook Classic and also its men and women’s championships this coming year. An expanded junior tournament is also in the planning stages.

Plans and details of these 2006 golfing events are to be released to the Kilgore News Herald early next year.

Terry Stembridge contributed to this story.