Fun in the Sun

 Thursday, May 22, Mother Nature was her old self with a grey, cool, blustery, rain filled day. But participants in the Annual Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament got a real treat the day before!  It was arguably the nicest day to date in 2008 – Wednesday, May 21 featured bright sunshine, pleasant temperatures and very slight breeze.  Fifty eight golfers came out to enjoy a fun and sun-filled day while raising money to support Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation programs.

 The competition at the top was very spirited as two perennial teams battled it out for the top spot.  With a tie score, of 58, the team of Tom Kent, Dave Officer and Tyler Kent claimed first place on a scorecard playoff.  Settling for second was Bob Shockley, J.B. Scott, Troy Lowrey and Robbie Lammers.   The Missouri Corn Programs Team of Ben Marshall, Caitlin Deeken, Gary Clark and Ethan Taylor finished third with a 60.

 Another scorecard playoff determined the placing at the top of the B Flight, when both teams shot a 66.  The team of Steve Tegarden, Keith Brown, Terry Calhoun and Larry Bauer came out on top.  Taking second was Kent Kaiser, Nip Niedert, Chuck Lay and Keith Schwinke.  The FCS Financial Team of Don Kennedy, Gary Wrye, Chris Brown and Brian Handke rounded out the flight with a 68.

 In the Cattlemen’s Division the long-standing team of “Blue” Geier, Rex Hill, Kenny Imhoff and Bubby Oliver shot a 64 to earn first place.  Finishing second with a 72 was the team sponsored by Sweet Pro Feed with Donnie Gast, Wayne Seider, Tom Chandler and Danny Zellmer.  Third place went to Travis Arp, Chip Kemp, Dennis Fennewald and John Kleiboeker with a 79. 

 The Longest Drive was won by Bob Shockley and Frank Chalfont was the Closest to the Pin.  Winners in each division and flight as well as the contests were awarded Beef Gift Certificates from the Missouri Beef Industry Council.  High quality beef was featured prominently throughout the day as golfers feasted on the traditional Cooper County Cattlemen’s Ribeye Steak Sandwich lunch prepared and served by Gerald & Liz Dick and David Wolfe.   Also throughout the day MU Collegiate CattleWomen Alumni Traci Richter Hayes and Lesley Ann Snodgrass kept golfers fully hydrated on the warm day and earned $78 in tips for the MCF coffers.

 The success of the event was aided greatly by the generous sponsorship of ALLTECH; FCS Financial; Land O' Lakes Purina Feed; McDonalds of Mid-Missouri, Ozarks & Joplin Regions; Missouri Beef Cattlemen; MO Corn Programs; NH Scheppers; Pfizer Animal Health; UMB Bank; Broderick Farms; and Barnitz Farms.

 The Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable entity dedicated to enhancing the lives of Missouri youth through scholarships, farm safety and youth education, and financial assistance for youth with special needs.  Donations to the MCF are deductible for tax purposes.  For more information on the Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation or to make a contribution, contact: Darla Eggers, Executive Director, 573-449-4923, Darla@mocattle.com or visit www.mocattlemenfoundation.org