Another quality field on tap for Indian Pines Invitational

By Mike Szvetitz
Sports Editor, Opelika-Auburn News
Published: July 17, 2008

The quantity of golfers might be down from previous years, but that doesn’t mean the quality has gone anywhere.

When the 32nd annual Indian Pines Invitational tees off Saturday, the field will be smaller than it has been, but it will be packed with some of the best amateur golfers from around the Southeast.

Somewhere around 150 golfers will compete in the two-day, 36-hole stroke-play event, which according to Indian Pines assistant golf pro Jerry Bavaro, is the biggest amateur golf tournament in the area.

“There’s not as many golfers as we’ve had before, but it’s a solid field,” Bavaro said. “We’ve got eight past champions and some really good local and area golfers who are going to make it interesting.
“It used to be up to 220 golfers, but we could never get everybody in, so we knocked it down to 160. But this year we’ve got around 150. I guess the cost of gas and the economy has kept some people away.”

The list of past champions includes defending champ and two-time winner Scott Johnson. Last year, Johnson shot a two-day total of 3-under par and beat Clay Guerin in a sudden-death playoff to win his second title.

Also back to try and recapture the magic are defending champs Buzz Sturz, Tobin Ayers, Mark Christian, Lee Dempsey, Mike Nix, Jimmy Brandt, a two-time winner and David Stanfield, who’s won it three times.

According to Bavaro, there are a handful of other golfers on the roster this weekend who are looking for their first Indian Pines trophy, including Frank Dial, Brad Wilson and Lee-Scott Academy standout Will Garner.

The winner of the tournament gets a lifetime exemption into the event.

There are still some slot available for this weekend’s tournament, which, other than the 32-slot Championship Flight, will be flighted after the first day. Any golfer interested in playing can contact the Indian Pines pro shop at 821-0880. Cost is $170 for the tournament, which includes both days of golf, lunch and a cart.

The tournament will begin at 7 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with golfers going off on No. 1 and No. 10.

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