By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
For 41 years, golfers from Hopkins County and the western Kentucky region have been attending Madisonville Golf and Country Club's annual Eli Barron Golf Invitational.
The course has changed its look, participants have come and gone and other tournaments have sprung up, but the event continues to hold its charming draw. This Saturday and Sunday, golfers and spectators will descend on Madisonville for the latest installment in a storied event.
Few individuals know the Eli Barron better than local resident and five-time winner Jimmy Riddle.
"There are very few invitational, individual tournaments anymore," Riddle said. "It seems like every one wants to go with scrambles. I've seen state amateurs and state opens, and I even just got back from the Southern Amateur in Memphis.
"There's probably 25 people following the lead groups, where at the Eli Barron, I'll bet you Sunday there could be 100 golf carts following. It's kind of a party on Sunday to watch the final group. If you're playing good, it's a blast. If you're playing bad, it's kind of embarrassing."
Course owner and PGA professional Jeff Howerton said the local community has kept the Eli Barron a well-attended and anticipated event.
"I think with our membership, our golfers at the club are really strong and they have a lot of friends," Howerton said. "It's a good way for the whole community to get out, play a little golf, have a little dinner and get together. It's a pretty good social event as well. Saturday night we have entertainment. A lot of the guys look forward to it all year."
The course has changed its look, participants have come and gone and other tournaments have sprung up, but the event continues to hold its charming draw. This Saturday and Sunday, golfers and spectators will descend on Madisonville for the latest installment in a storied event.
Few individuals know the Eli Barron better than local resident and five-time winner Jimmy Riddle.
"There are very few invitational, individual tournaments anymore," Riddle said. "It seems like every one wants to go with scrambles. I've seen state amateurs and state opens, and I even just got back from the Southern Amateur in Memphis.
"There's probably 25 people following the lead groups, where at the Eli Barron, I'll bet you Sunday there could be 100 golf carts following. It's kind of a party on Sunday to watch the final group. If you're playing good, it's a blast. If you're playing bad, it's kind of embarrassing."
Course owner and PGA professional Jeff Howerton said the local community has kept the Eli Barron a well-attended and anticipated event.
"I think with our membership, our golfers at the club are really strong and they have a lot of friends," Howerton said. "It's a good way for the whole community to get out, play a little golf, have a little dinner and get together. It's a pretty good social event as well. Saturday night we have entertainment. A lot of the guys look forward to it all year."
The event has been known to attract talented golfers from around the state, including professional J.B. Holmes, who won the Eli Barron in 2004.
"Everybody pretty much knew (Holmes) was going to go on to be a good player on the tour, so that was exciting," Howerton said. "There were a lot of people there."
Other prominent past attendees included Steve Rogers, Jimmy Brown and Adam Gary. In addition to Riddle, 2007 champ and Owensboro native Andy Roberts and Murray State University senior Mitchell Moore are expected to compete for this year's title.
Although Riddle has plenty of experience at the Madisonville course, he said that knowledge can work both ways.
"You also know where all the trouble is too and if you're thinking about that, that makes you hit it bad," he said.
Nothing beats the feeling of overcoming the course's hazards and the mental difficulties that come with the two-day invitational and being part of the final group, Riddle said.
"It's just something to stand on top of the hill at 18 and seeing all the people that will be there Sunday," he said.
Each year presents a new field and most often a new winner, but the Eli Barron continues to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in Hopkins County and western Kentucky.
"It's really prestigious for the area," Howerton said. "It's time to shine. You have to play your own ball, play two days. There's not too many of those tournaments left in our area."
"Everybody pretty much knew (Holmes) was going to go on to be a good player on the tour, so that was exciting," Howerton said. "There were a lot of people there."
Other prominent past attendees included Steve Rogers, Jimmy Brown and Adam Gary. In addition to Riddle, 2007 champ and Owensboro native Andy Roberts and Murray State University senior Mitchell Moore are expected to compete for this year's title.
Although Riddle has plenty of experience at the Madisonville course, he said that knowledge can work both ways.
"You also know where all the trouble is too and if you're thinking about that, that makes you hit it bad," he said.
Nothing beats the feeling of overcoming the course's hazards and the mental difficulties that come with the two-day invitational and being part of the final group, Riddle said.
"It's just something to stand on top of the hill at 18 and seeing all the people that will be there Sunday," he said.
Each year presents a new field and most often a new winner, but the Eli Barron continues to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in Hopkins County and western Kentucky.
"It's really prestigious for the area," Howerton said. "It's time to shine. You have to play your own ball, play two days. There's not too many of those tournaments left in our area."
No comments:
Post a Comment