Greene, Nard win tourney
GOLF/ ETTC CLASSIC
By ARCHIE WHITFIELD Special to the News Herald - see complete scores on page 5

Mark Greene and Gary Nard pulled off a narrow one-stroke win in the 46th annual East Texas Crisis Center Golf Classic completed Saturday at the Challenge at Oak Forest in Longview. Friday's round was used to determine flights.

The winners posed rounds of 57 and 60 for a total of 117, one shot ahead of challengers Jacob Grubbs and Brent Akins. They had a 58 on opening day Friday and backed that with a 60 on Saturday for a total of 118.

On the front nine on Friday, the winners carded six straight birdies - six of seven for the nine holes. They had eagles two on the 17th hole both days and had two days of bogey-free golf.

Placing third in the championship flight was the team of Curtis Crabtree and Jeff Webb with a score of 119. They had rounds of 60 and 59. Fourth place in the championship flight was claimed by Phillip Thornton and Clint Noll, with 60 on day one and 61 on day two - a final score of 121.

Prizes were awarded to the first four places of each flight. First place in each flight received $800, second place $600, third place $500 and fourth, $200.

The tournament is staged each year by the East Texas Oil Men's Association for the benefit of the East Texas Treatment Center. The center provides therapy services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Proceeds from the tourney help fund services of patients needing financial assistance.

The champions posted ninehole scores of 29-28 on Friday and had 30 on each nine the final day. The team was sponsored by Thru Tubing Solutions.

The 2008 tournament marked the sixth consecutive year for a new champion.

Shane Grubbs and Ricky Murphy won honors in the first flight by a single stroke. They turned in a 130. Just a shot back was the team of Kyle Thornhill and Jason Weldon with a 131. It took three scorecard playoff holes to decide third and fourth places. Mike Craig and Dana Hvron had a 133. With the same score, but in fourth was the team of Jody Wesson and Nick Wesson.

Second flight honors went to Dan Biggs and Chris Chitwood after a scorecard playoff of two holes. The winners had a 135 and second place went to Wade Hampton and James Honeycutt with identical rounds. A singlehole scorecard playoff decided third place with Kilgore College's coaching tandem of J.J. Eckert and Brian Hobercht going 70 on opening day and closing Saturday with a 66 for 136. Taking fourth place was the team of Dude Long and Dillon Swain with a 136.

Scorecard playoffs remained the trend as the third flight was decided on the third playoff hole. Winners were Jess Stephens and Lloyd Vanderwater with a 136. Jeff Seal and Murphy Jordan had a 136 as well, but lost on the scorecard playoff. Third place was taken by Joy Albrecht and Rick Mull (a 137), and Will Hale and Robert Hendrix fourth (138).

Fourth flight honors were taken by Rocky Coarlow and Ryan Thomas with a 141. Four strokes back were Derik Elrod and Eric Smith at 145. Glenn Day and Roger Otis took third with a 146. On a scorecard playoff, Janice Stephens and Tammy Greene were fourth (148).

Don Lyles and Chris Nichols won the fifth flight with a 148. A scorecard playoff settled second, with Kip Stansell and Joe Bob Taylor carding a 153. Gayle Grisham and Rex Whitten had a 153 for third place and fourth prize money went to Mike Lafitte and Rhett Rhode. They and a first day round of 82 but backed that up with a 74 Saturday for a 156.