Since its inception in 1975, most likely the brainchild of Bud Rausser, the tournament has raised nearly $500,000.
If that isn’t a significant achievement, I don’t know what is. Phil Jones, co-owner of Chico Classic Golf Car Co., was awarded the “Bud” award, named in honor of Bud Rausser. This award is bestowed on someone who has contributed significantly to the success and perpetuity of the event. A few of the past winners are Rausser, Carl Dietz, The Fortuna group, Ted Blofsky, Tim Thomas, Steve Nettleton, Carl Selkirk, Milan Murray, Marv Davidson, Ross Bradford, Erin Jergentz, Rick Johns, Mark Francis, Ed Burns, Matt Blofsky, Barry Jones, Cap Porterfield, Terry Horn, Darin Silva and Bob Randolph. Congratulations Phil, you have joined a select group. Taking first place in the scramble format, winning in a card-off, was the team of Tim O’Connell, Rick Williams, Bob Mason, Pat Jones, Mike Manna and Michael Jergentz, with a score of 55. The team of Donn Marshall, Mike Cress, Brian Sweeney, Butch Meester, Blake Meester and Lucan Delgado also shot 55, but lost in the card-off and actually ended up in fifth place. Why fifth Because, after the winning team has been named, the rest of the teams are randomly selected to determine the other The DAL team, winning a group golf lesson for obvious reasons, was the team of Medy Beauchane, Mark Emmett, Terry Home, Kevin Baker, Cap Porterfield and a blind draw. Closest to the pin winners were Bill Rich (No. 3) and Bruce Whitegiver (No. 6). Reese Borges won the long drive contest. Spectacular shots Another amazing hole-in-one story occurred last week at Canyon Oaks CC. Pat Jones, playing in a foursome with her husband, Emmett, and with Wayne and Peggy Ferenz, scored a hole-in-one on the 104-yard No. 3 hole. Three holes later, Peggy Ferenz followed suit on the 110-yard No. 6 hole with an ace of her own. You may recall this exact scenario occurred last year on the same two holes. Unbelievable! Dave Warner, aka Sonny, made an eagle two on the No. 16 hole at Butte Creek CC. Warner’s 165-yard, 5-iron approach shot touched nothing but net as his playing companions, Randy Linquist, Patricia LaBreacht-Johnson, Bob Johansen and Gary Katz, watched it disappear into the cup on the fly.
Dick Brooks recently eagled the par-5 No. 13 hole at Butte Creek CC. After reaching the green in two, his 12-foot putt dropped into the cup as witnessed by several former standout Chico State athletes, Mike Liddell, George Maderos, Gary Kollenborn and Ed Bopp.