Thirty-six teams teed off in the 25th Annual Potato Grower Industry Golf Tournament at Idaho Falls (Idaho) Country Club on July 20.
“It was a great day to spend together as friends in the industry, outside of the office, away from the field,” said Jason Harris, Potato Grower publisher. “This industry strives through friendship and strong acquaintances as much as any industry out there. I think people appreciate a day like that.”
The weather certainly cooperated as welcome cloud cover and sporadic brisk winds kept playing conditions more than comfortable.
Allan Landon, Rad Orr, Chris Hill and Jeff Anderson combined to shoot a 14-under-par 58 to edge the second-place team of Jeff Chris, Kevin Johns, Mick Coombs and Greg Knittle by two strokes. First place paid $225 per team member. Second place paid $175 each.
Several prizes acknowledged the tournament’s silver anniversary. Each golfer received a sleeve of silver balls at the registration table, but most kept them for a keepsake. Hole prizes and random drawings held before and after play made for a lively day and added up to more than $9,500 in cash and IFCC gift certificates.
“It has turned into more than just golf,” Harris said. “It's just a fun day to spend together with friends. I'm sure there is a little business being done during the day, but no doubt everybody is just having fun.
“Can’t believe it has been 25 years since this started. That’s a testament to the great people who put this on each year. We have, and have always had, a great staff. It’s all about the people.”
The day concluded with dinner sponsored by Northwest Farm Credit Services.
“Special thanks to our many sponsors, all of those who played in the tournament and support this each year,” Harris said. “We certainly could not do this without the support of many.”
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 26th annual golf scramble.
Team Results
1) Jeff Anderson (Anderson Insurance), Allan Landon (Syngenta), Chris Hill (Simplot) and Rad Orr (Rad Orr Farms), $900
2) Jeff Chris (BioWest Ag Solutions), Kevin Johns (High Mark Potato), Greg Knittle (BBK Farms) and Mick Coombs (Snake River Supply), $700
3) Eldon Archibald, Tyler Watt, Merna Watt and Larry Watt (all of Jeff & Tyler Watt Farms), $600
4) Chelsea Ruga, Brianna Koompin (both of Double M), Kamren Koompin (Koompin Farms) and Ernie Eggers (Sunriver of Idaho), $500
5) Cameron Garn, Justin Hart, Steve Elfering and Joey Dutton (all of Potandon Produce), $400
6) Marty Fehringer (T/Bille Ag), Barry Nelson (Valley Ag), Jake Nichols (Helena Chemical) and Reed Bishop (Total Scale), $300
7) Bob Parrish (Parrish Farms), Clint Parks, Doyle Morrill (both of Morrill Farms & Consulting) and Carl Grinstad (Zions Ag Lending), $200
Other Prizes
5 Card Poker
Larry Watt, $200, won by tiebreaker
Low Ball Hand
Jeff Chris, $200 gift certificate
Chipping Contest Drawing Winner
Sheryl Bitter, $100
Chipping Contest
1) Eldon Archibald, 5 inches away, $75
2) Brianna Koompin, $50
3) Jared Wattenbarger, $25
Putting Contest Drawing Winner
Justin Hart, $100
Cooper Norman $100 Gift Certificate and Basket Drawing
Ralph Smith
Long Drive Contest
Men- Travis Mallory, $100
Women - Brianna Koompin, $100