Years ago, Don Martin’s business trip to North Carolina was supposed to detour to the famed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course. But those plans were scuttled.
Now the Springfield man will get another chance.
Martin and three friends – Nathan Stokes, Ryan Pinnel and Kent Oglesby – teamed to win the Integrity Home Care Charities Pro-Am on Saturday at LedgeStone Country Club in Branson. The team fired a 55 in the scramble format, winning by a stroke.
“I never thought I’d have the chance again (to play Pinehurst),” Martin said after day in which the team sank nine consecutive birdies at one point – and learned during play that a trip to Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4 was up for grabs. The event is for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Scramble Championship on Nov. 18-20.
“We just put our noses to the grindstone at that point,” Oglesby said.
Said Pinnel, “This is just awesome.”
The pro-am was part of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, a PGA Web.com Tour event on Aug. 11-14 at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield.
Pinehurst has played host to several majors, including the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. It also was the site of Springfield native Payne Stewart winning the 1999 U.S. Open.
Meanwhile, a Central Bank/Central Trust-sponsored team featuring Russ Marquart, Mark Walterskirchen, Ken Stephens and Jay McIntyre placed second with a 56 on a scorecard tiebreaker.
The team of Dale Russell, Ramona Russell, Tommy Bean, Mike Russell and Dale Russell placed third with a 56.
The PCCC will play host to pro-ams in the days leading up to the PGA Web.com Tour stop on Thursday. Check the website at pricecuttercc.org for openings or call 417-887-3400.