Kids participating in a First Tee clinic at Babe Zaharais on Saturday got to meet R.C. Slocum, the winningest football coach in Texas A&M history. Slocum, in town for the 88th birthday of his father-in-law — Johnny Warner —  was spotted on the practice range by First Tee of the Golden Triangle Executive Director Jerry Honza. Honza, who was an assistant pro in Bryan when Slocum was Jackie Sherrill’s A&M defensive coordinator, introduced himself and asked Slocum if he would mind talking with the 30 kids participating in the clinic. R.C., who is familiar with the First Tee from his association with former president George Bush (41), said he’d be glad to. “He delivered a terrific message to the kids that tied right in with First Tee core values,” said Honza.  . . . Monsignor Ken Greig of Groves launched a heavenly shot on the 140-yard, 7th hole on the Bayou Front at Bayou Din last Thursday. Greig’s shot, struck with a 5-wood, found its way into the bottom of the cup for his first ever hole in one. Witnesses were Hal Peterson, Gerald Wilson and Royce Ennis . . . Marshall Rowe, 74, of Beaumont shot his age for the first time last Friday at Bayou Din. Rowe’s playing companion was Billy Mack . . . Terry DeRouen of Nederland scored his first ever eagle on the par 5, 9th at Babe Zaharias on Friday. DeRouen sank a 5-wood from 180 yards. The shot was witnessed by Bo Graffignino, George DeVries and Jeff Sandighi . . . Chris Stroud won’t be the only local product for Southeast Texans to follow at this week’s Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. West Orange-Stark’s Michael Arnaud Monday- qualified his way into the event, and did it the hard way. Arnaud, after shooting a 72 to advance from a pre-qualifier, found himself in a field of 69 players vying for four spots in the tourney. He rose to the occasion by  shooting  a three-under-par 69 to finish in a six-way tie for third at The Club at Comanche Trace. With six players — including PGA Tour veterans Ted Purdy and Glen Day — in a sudden death playoff for two spots, Arnaud locked up the final opening with a birdie on the fifth playoff hole. For the West Orange-Stark ex, this will be his first ever time to play in a regular PGA Tour event. Surviving the 36-hole cut would be a major accomplishment for him, especially for what it would mean to the mental side of his game. There is no doubt he has the physical tools . . .  The Brock Services team of Sam Brown, Mike Fugit, Chris Moore and Collin Coyle teamed for a 54 to win the ASSE Scramble at Belle Oaks. Second at 60 was the Cottonwood Energy Team of Sidney Jones, Rick Richard, Marlin Greenway and Clifford Delome. Third at 62 was the Maxim Crane foursome of Chet Resch, Ryan Sowell, Carlos Sage and Ralph Bronson. Ron Chatagnier was the closest to the pin winner on No. 15, while Jared Landry claimed the long drive prize . . . The Seniors at the Babe was played in a 2-best ball format, with the team of Mike Lansford, Guy Van Cleve, Joe Benoit and Tom Hatcher winning the front at minus 2. On the back, the team of Hilario Padio, Dutsy Abshire, Orland DeFrates, Charlie Ingraham and Dwain Morrison won in even par. Closest to the pin winners were Hatcher (No. 2), Lansford (No. 7), Roy Martinez (No. 12, No. 15) . . . . Format for the Babe Zaharias DogFight was 2-man teams playing best ball on the front and scramble on the back. In 1st Flight, the duo of Chris Cross-Butch Cross won with a 68. There was a three-way tie for second at 70 between Kenny Robbins-Rick Pritchett, David Evans-Steve Picou and Roy Trahan-Troy Sedtal. In 2nd Flight, there was a tie for first at 70 between Larry Rogers-Gene Hardy, and Tom Terrell-Cliff Digiovanni. Pete Reobroi-Dwayne Morvant finished third at 71. In 3rd Flight, Curtis Adix-Larry Thompson won with a 73, edging Bobby Hebert-Jimmy Thompson by a stroke. The team of Ben Thornton-Mark Petry shot 75 to win 4th Flight by one shot over Tom Stafford-Gary Barker and two strokes over Harry Green-Cecil Bourgeois. Closest to the hole winners were Bourgeois (No. 2), Stafford (No. 7), Morvant (No. 12) and Robbins (No. 15) . . . Format for the Saturday Game at Babe Zaharias was 2-best balls. The foursome of Tom Lawton, Thad Borne, Roy Martinez and Harold Wilkinson won the front in minus four. On the back, Mike Lansford, Harrell Guidry, Richard Sibley and Charlie Huckaby won in minus 1 . . . Bill Taylor finished plus 5 to win the Monday Senior Game at Belle Oaks. Four players — Ed Boone, Jim Brown, Twyman Ash and Dennis Neef tied for second at plus 3. Twyman Ash (No. 8) and Wally Istre (No. 15) were closest to the pin winners . . . David Hearn of St. Mary’s shot a 2-under par 33 at Iron Oaks to tie Garrett James of Legacy Christian in the TAPPS shootout for junior high players. Max Anderson of St. Anne’s placed third with a 35, followed by Blake Cain (38) of Legacy and Tyler Potts of St. Anne’s . . . One of the area’s most unique tournaments — the Tyrrell Garth Jr. Invitational — is set for April 29-May 1 at Beaumont Country. All flights except championship are match play Friday and Saturday, then 18 holes of medal play on Sunday. Championship flight is straight medal play. Entry fee is $210, which includes carts, range balls, a tee prize and lunch each day. Also included in the fee is a Thursday practice round with a $20 cart fee. Anyone interested in an entry blank should call 898-7011. Beaumont Country Club annually is in the best condition of any golf course in Southeast Texas.

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