By By Marty Stamper
July 16, 2001
At least two, and likely three, Meridian women will be representing Mississippi in the ninth-annual Southeastern Women's Amateur Team Championship in late October at the Colonial Country Club in Memphis.
That's pretty good representation for a 12-person team.
Leigh Phillips, a 14-year old rising freshman at Lamar School, and 2001 Mississippi Women's Golf Association state amateur runner-up Pam Posey made the team during a 36-hole qualifier at Castlewoods Country Club.
Also making the team as a junior is Alexis Rather, a 15-year old from Tupelo who finished second in the recent MWGA Junior Girls' Amateur Championship at Briarwood Country Club.
Playing in the SWATC has its rewards when it comes to getting out of school.
The third Meridian female likely to make the Mississippi team is Lou Hart as a captain's pick. Hart has played in all eight previous SWATC events.
Hart, who is the golf coach at Meridian Community College, is impressed with Phillips' play, labeling her a can't-miss Division I prospect.
Posey's been there before but making the team again was no less of a thrill for her.
Eight players made the team from the qualifier with 2001 state am champion Cissye Gallagher getting an exemption. The captain gets two picks.
Luke wins East Central Mississippi Individual Stroke Play tourney: Dan Luke of Hickory shot a seven-under par 137 to win the recent East Central Mississippi Individual Stroke Play Tournament at Decatur Country Club.
Luke played for Meridian Community College the last two years and will be playing at Ole Miss in the 2001-2002 school year.
Brothers Joel and Steve Nelson of Newton tied for second place one stroke back at 138. Tied for fourth were Chris Clark and Randy McElhenny at 139.
Late nite at Decatur: Robert Blount and son Jody of Union took first place in the Decatur Country Club Moonlight Two-Person Select Tournament with a 64. Jody will be a junior at Union High School this fall.
Farm Bureau Invitational this weekend: Beau Pre' Country Club in Natchez will host the Farm Bureau Invitational Golf Tournament, Friday-Sunday.
The state's top professional and amateur golfers will be competing.
Robert Autry is the defending champion with Rett Crowder having won in 1999.
Boys' Junior State Am at MSU: The 2001 Mississippi Golf Association Boys' State Junior Amateur is slated for July 31-Aug. 2 at the Mississippi State University Golf Course at Starkville.
All contestants are required to walk.
Ages 14-15 and 16-17 will play three 18-hole rounds. Entry fee for both groups is $35.
Ages 12-13 will play two 18-hole rounds. Entry fee is $35.
Ages 11-under will play two nine-hole rounds. Entry fee is $25.
Contestants may play up one age group if they so desire.
For more information, call Mississippi Golf Association at 601-939-1131.
Just around the corner: The annual Jimmy Sandusky Two-Person Scramble is slated for Saturday-Sunday at Lakeview Golf Course. Entry fee is $50 per person with Barnhills serving food on Saturday. For more information, call Lakeview Golf Course at 601-693-3301.
Also this weekend, Decatur Country Club will host a Three-Person Four-Ball. Entry fee is $90 per team. For more information, call Jay Bowen at 601-635-2111 ext. 243 or 635-5186.
Those who would like to have their tournaments, holes-in-one, club champions, or other golf information listed in this space should fax that info to 601-485-1275, attention Marty Stamper.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com.