BOB WEST ON GOLF: Following Stroud painful for sister Tammy
Published 8:02 pm Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Most everyone who follows golf has probably seen the video of a Chris Stroud drive nailing his sister, Tammy, in the back during Saturday’s third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
CBS played the clip several times, golf websites had it posted and at least one local TV station played it.
If you missed it, Stroud pushed his drive right on the 16th hole. Tammy appeared to see the ball coming at her and tried to get out of the way. Unfortunately, she couldn’t and took a direct hit.
The good news was that Tammy saved Chris and his partner, Brian Stuard, from being in the woods in the alternate-shot format. Stuard then made a terrific second shot over trees and Chris rolled in a 10-foot putt for a
birdie.
According to Stroud’s dad, Jimmy, Tammy wound up with a deep bruise that has changed colors every day. Chris took her out to dinner Monday as partial payback for the pain, but she is apparently holding out for more serious
compensation.
Stroud and Stuard wound up winning $70,000 each after tying for 11th, following a disappointing final round 67 in Sunday’s best ball. They birdied three of the first four holes, then bagged only two more birds the rest of the
day.
Especially costly was getting a birdie on only one of the four par-five holes. That allowed several teams to blow past them.
One less shot and they would have tied for fifth and won $140,000 each. Placing in the top 10 would have also gotten Chris into this week’s Wells Fargo Championship. He caught a break on that front, however, moving up from
fourth alternate on Saturday to squeezing into the field on Monday.
CHIP SHOTS
Nathan Romero had the shot of the day Saturday in the 10th annual Estelle and Allen Fetters Center for the Mentally Challenged Scramble.
Romero scored his first hole in one by powering a 4-iron 175 yards into a 30 mph wind on the 12th hole at Babe Zaharias. Witnesses to the ace were Steve Williams, Joel Batman and Ralph Barbaso.
The team of Roddy Weatherly, Michael Weatherly, Craig Fontenot and Steve Picou won the tournament with a 56. Placing second with a 57 with the foursome of Mark Meents, Billy Runte, Brandon Soileau and Lonnie Labove.
Closest to the pin winners were David Girouard (No. 2) Brett Smith (No. 7), Romero (No. 12) and Aaron Landry (No. 15). Alec Bruney won the long drive, while Ben Sherrod claimed the long drive for seniors.
The tournament was hosted by the Groves Knights of Columbus, which had raised roughly $95,000 the first nine times it put on the event. Final numbers for this year won’t be available for a few days …
The Tuesday Twister Senior Two Ball saw the team of Bob West, Adam Noel, Charles Leard and Ralph Childress win the front with minus-4. On the back, the foursome of Gerald Huebel, Rick Pritchett, Rusty Hicks and Danny Platt won with minus-5.
Playing in the Tuesday Twister, Jeff Greenway of Port Neches shoot his best ever round of 79. Witnesses were Cap Hollier, Lee Bertrand and James Trahan.
In the Monday Senior 50 Plus Game at Zaharias, the team of Joe Gongora, Larry Thompson, Larry Reece and John Ramsey won the front in minus-5. Minus-7 was the winning number on the back for the foursome of Hollier, Russ Gloede, T. Robicheaux and Jim Cooper …
The front nine in Friday’s 2 Ball at Zaharias was won by the team of Picou, Bertrand, Harry Green and Leard in minus-3. On the back, the team of Craig Fontenot, Gary Fontenot, James Shipley and Roger Baumer finished first with minus-3 …
The Thursday Senior 55 Plus Game at Zaharias was played in a 4-man scrambleformat. Placing first with minus 14 was the team of Huebel, Don MacNeil, Jobie Irvine and Paul Bourgeois. Second at minus 13 was the foursome of Noel, Raymond Darbonne, Bob Barnes and Dwain Morrison.
Closest to the pin winners were Mike Lansford (No. 2), West (No. 7), Gongora (No. 12) and Noel (No. 15).
The Wednesday Babe Zaharias DogFight ended in a tie. Finishing with 19 points was the team of Gary Whitfill, Dillard Darbonne, Trahan and Larry Rogers and the foursome of John House, MacNeil, Gary Anderson and Mark
Turnbull.
During the competition, Larry Reece shoot his best ever round of 71. It was witnessed by Gary Hanan, Tommy Duhon and Irvine.
Closest to the pin winners were Ralph Childress (No. 2), Whitfill (No. 7), Cooper (No. 12) and Rick Pritchett (No. 15).
*
Golf news should be emailed to rdwest@usa.net.