Southeast golf classic attracts large field, proceeds go for scholarships

The annual Lillian Faye Simpson Southeast Scholarship Golf Classic attracted a record number of players recently to Sleepy Hollow Golf Course at Cumberland. A total of 16 foursomes competed for various prizes and money during the 18-hole, best ball scramble format competition that generated several thousand dollars for scholarships, enabling deserving students the opportunity to attend Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The winning team, carding a 17-under-par, was the Howard Heating/Cornett Insurance foursome comprised of Pete Cornett, Sr., Pete Cornett, Jr., Andrew Forester and Mike Howard. They captured the top spot by virtue of a scorecard playoff besting the Parkway Pharmacy team of Junior Watts, Todd Watts, Drew Chamberlain and Jon Simpson. Finishing in third place was the Bank of Harlan team of Dan Mosley, Eugene Farmer, Luke Minor and Sammy Moore.

The classics director Tiffany Scott noted the 2014 event was one of the most successful of the previous 26.

It was wonderful to see so many come out and enjoy a day of golf on such a lovely day, she said. All money raised goes directly to the colleges scholarship fund. Over the years, many young people from across our service area of Harlan, Bell, Letcher and Knox counties have benefited from this event, and additionally, I want to say thank you to our generous sponsors who made it all possible.

In addition to participants having the chance to win cash prizes in team play, various special feat prizes were awarded, including Longest Drive on hole No. 5, Conner Leisge; Putting Contest, Marcus Johnson; Closest to the Pin on No. 8, Pete Cornett, Jr., and Closest Second Shot, Mike Howard.

Corporate and gold level sponsors for the annual scramble were the Kentucky Coal Academy, ARH, Samp;S Service and American Business Solutions. And, as in past events, Creech Motors sponsored a new automobile that would go to the first player to record a hole in one on the par-three sixth hole. While a few drives to the green came within feet of the cup, no golfer drove home in the vehicle.

We are excited to put this event on each year, but it takes a lot of hard work, said Scott. I am thankful for all who worked to make the 2014 classic so successful.