Senior golfers at Babe Zaharias who knew him paused for a moment of silence in honor of E.J. “Bud” Auffurth last week. Auffurth, who passed away at age 94, was still playing in the weekly Zaharias DogFights into his 90s.

As nice a person as you could ever meet, Bud not only kept playing the game he loved he did it remarkably well when his health permitted. That probably should not be too surprising since the athletic Auffuth was also a terrific fast pitch softball player when the game was in its heyday in Southeast Texas.

It’s arguable Bud shot or bettered his age on the golf course more than anybody in Southeast Texas history.

Many non-golfers knew Auffurth as a long-time and valued employee at TSO. Bud “officially” retired in 1989, was given a golf cart and trailer by TSO, couldn’t bear to stay away and worked part time until last year. All total, he spent 61 years with TSO.

Rest in peace, Bud. Heaven will be a better place with you in charge of vision.

CHIP SHOTS: Today’s notepad is coming to you a day late and from far away in French Lick, Indiana. No, I’m not hanging out with Larry Bird but the last two days were spent playing two amazing golf courses that you will read about later this summer . . .

Former Port Arthuran Billy Filer had the biggest golfing thrill of his life last Saturday in Lake Charles. The former Bishop Byrne star scored his first hole in one, sinking a 5 iron from 177 yards on the Contraband Bayou course at L’Auberge Casino Resort.

Witnesses were Art Hughes and Wes Orr . . .

Chris Stroud came up short in his bid to qualify for the U.S. Open. Playing in a sectional qualifier at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ontario Monday, Stroud was two over through 27 holes when he withdrew. With four spots available for 37 players, it took four under to win an Open spot.

Stroud moved on to play in the Canadian Open…

In the Monday Senior 50 Plus 2 ball at Babe Zaharias, the team of Russ Gloede, Rick Pritchett, James Trahan and Roger Baumer tied the front with minus 5 and won the back at minus 3. Also minus 5 on the front was the foursome of Keith Mullins, Bill Hammond, Larry Foster and John LeBlanc…

The Super Saturday 2 ball at Babe Zaharias saw a tie for first on both nines. On the front, the team of Kenny Robbins, Danny Robbins, Larry Foster and Baumer matched the minus 2 posted by the foursome of Gary Fontenot, Pete Reobroi, George Adams and Bob West.

On the back the team of Kaycee Begaman, Adam Noel and Mike Noel posted minus 3 to tie the team of Ron Carlin, Ron LaSalle, Dan Flood and Cole Lee…

The Friday 2 ball at Zaharias saw the team of Joe Gongora, LaSalle, Gerald Huebel, Hoot Gibson and Tommy Duhon take the front with minus 5. Minus 5 also won the back for the foursome of Mullins, Larry Reece, Butch Cross and Rusty Hicks…

In the Wednesday DogFight at Zaharias, there was a two-way tie for first. Finishing with 13 points was the team of Kenny Robbins, LaSalle, Ron Mistrot and Ed Delk and the foursome of Ed Holley, Larry Johnson, Keith Marshall and Flood.

Closest to the pin winners were West (No. 2), Robbins (No. 7), Hicks (No. 12) and Pritchett (No. 15)…

Xander Parks of Orange won Boys 15-18 in the first STPGA Junior Tour tournament of the summer played Monday at Sunset Grove Country Club in Orange. Parks shot a two-over-par 73 to win by eight strokes over Wyatt Wozniak.

Other flight winners included P. Tupper of Village Mills (89 in Boys 13-14), Lincoln Parks of Orange (68 in Boys 11-12), Cadence Underwood of Bridge City (85 in Girls 15-18), Bella Cabella of Lake Charles (86 in Girls 13-14) and Ava Borne of Groves (115 in Girls 11-12).

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