Despite temperatures near 100 degrees, a sold-out Sapulpa Chamber Golf Tournament provided a great day of fun and games, judging by the comments from those involved.
“We had a great turnout,” Sapulpa Chamber President Janet Birnie said. “Twenty-one teams in the morning, twenty-one teams in the afternoon, tons of great volunteers, so it’s been fun!”
People who have been involved in past tournaments say the friendly competition is a great way to get out there and meet new people, and maybe even drum up some new business.
“It’s a time where businesses that have never got to work together before now get to build a relationship out on the golf course,” said Tawni Vickers, the Marketing Coordinator for the City of Sapulpa.
Business owners and sponsors seem to agree.
“I’ve met a whole array of people in different industries,” said Josh Lawing, who was manning the tent for Vyve Business Solutions, a new sponsor to the tournament this year. “It’s a great opportunity to network,” he said.
Even the most casual golfers said that the experience was worth the price of admission: “We’re just happy to have a good time,” said Jonathan Dupee, owner of Freedom Electrical Services, who admitted that he didn’t do that well, but jokingly implied he didn’t understand the rules. “Isn’t it the highest score that wins?” he asked.
Among the highlights of the day were the hole-in-one at hole two, sunk by Dennis Hawkins. Hawkins said there was nobody more surprised than him. “We weren’t doing that well, I couldn’t even make a birdie,” he said. “Then all of a sudden I hit a pretty good one and we were surprised to find out when we arrived on the green, there it was in the hole.”
Hawkins said even without the hole-in-one, it’s a great event to be a part of.
“The support has been wonderful, the meal (provided by Sapulpa Public Schools) was great and I’ve gotten to knew a few folks. “We’re happy to support what this is all about,” he said.
Paul Slavens nearly won that 8th-hole free-car challenge offered by Crown Auto World in Bristow. He came within just inches of sinking that one on his first try and though he didn’t win the car, he did win the bragging rights.
Chris Neal contributed to this story.
See photos from the tournament:
