Thirsty Marlin Tournament: Golfing for Charity

Having to go through more than 30 score cards tabulating final rounds would be difficult. For Lansbrook Golf Club general manager Greg Folsom, charged with determining the low score of Saturday’s 11th Annual Thirsty Marlin Golf Tournament, invoking the Professional Golf Association rule book would just add to the math work.

Two teams sported identical 14-under-par scores of 58, requiring Folsom to employ PGA tiebreaker rules. The second level, using the accumulated strokes from only the back nine still left the two teams in a deadlock. Going to the third eliminator, using the total from the final three holes resulted in the victory going to foursome of Gary and Mary Rutledge and their partners Mike Chissell and John Thompson.

‘We shot an eagle on the final three, and that made the difference" said Gary Rutledge.

Coming in second were three guys named Wood: Jim, Ryan and Zack and their partner John Wintermeyer.

In addition to the overall winners, several contest conquerors were also recognized, most notably putting contest winner and long-time tourney regular Steve Strange. Taking home the World of Beer gift certificate was nice, the underlying meaning of the event even more so. "The best part of the day was getting out with my guys and building comraderie amongst the group," Strange shared.

While the final charitable donation was still be tabulated at press time, Thirsty Marlin co-owner Brian St. Arnold was ecstatic about the event. "We had a lot of people have a fun day on the course, win some prizes and have a great meal, all for the benefit of charities in our community of Palm Harbor," he concluded.

The next Thirsty Marlin event is scheduled to take place in October. Stay tuned to Palm Harbor Patch for more details or visit the restaurant's web site.