By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
June 24, 2003
CHOCTAW With one state amateur championship to his credit, Ken Graeber was going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Mississippi Senior Olympics golf tournament at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club Monday.
Graeber didn't disappoint as he shot a 1-under par 71 to win the 50-54 age group. His round was the day's lowest, except for the 69 fired by Ron Hegwood in the 65-69 age division. However, players 65 and older played from shorter tees.
Jim Henderson finished second in the 50-54 division with a 1-over par 73.
Graeber, who lives in Jackson, had birdies on Nos. 1 and 7 to go with a bogey on No. 8 in a front nine 35. He parred each of the nine holes on the back nine.
Graeber won the Mississippi state am in 1988 at Castlewoods Golf Club at Brandon.
Henderson finished second at 73. He had a birdie on No. 2, but took bogeys on Nos. 4, 6, 8, and 9 to go 3-over after nine holes. He came back to birdie Nos. 10 and 12 to finish 1-over for the day.
Joe Mayfield finished third in the 50-54 age group after beating George Phillips on a scorecard playoff. Both shot 76.
In the 55-59 division, Dan Ishee took first place with a 75. Mike Platt was one stroke behind. Third place went to Charlie Grantham on a scorecard playoff with Don Ashworth after both shot 77.
In the 60-64 group, Sonny Branning of Kosciusko took first place with a 75. Otha Kennedy of Union was second after shooting an 81. Albert Garner took third on a scorecard playoff with Mac McClellan. Both shot 83.
Hegwood took the gold medal in the 65-60 group with a 3-under par 69. He had birdies on Nos. 2, 6, 10, 14, and 17 to go with bogeys on Nos. 12 and 18.
Willie Coats of Decatur got the silver medal in the 65-69 division with a 2-over 74. Henry Wallace defeated Myron Bonar for the bronze medal on a scorecard playoff. Both shot 78.
Bennie Crumpton took the 70-74 group with a 79. Second place went to Vern Pung with an 81.
Royce Nation won the 75-79 group with an 80. Second place went to Douglass Platt with a 93, while Willie Harper was third with a 97.
In the 80-84 division, Joe Mayfield took first place with a 74. Art Higbie was second with a 77, while James Bostick was third with an 87.
Leon Pitman took gold in the 85-89 division with an 87.
Carolyn Boudreaux won the female 50-54 division with a 79.
Becky May defeated Juanita Norwood for the gold medal on a scorecard playoff in the 55-59 division. Both shot 94. Jeannine Garner's 105 was good for the bronze.
Polly Rabalais won the 60-64 group with a 97.
Wilma Pickett won the 65-69 division with a 92. Maxine Crumpton defeated Erliss Pung for the silver medal on a scorecard playoff after both shot 101.
Elizabeth Bilbo won the 70-74 division with a 103.
Helen Maples of Meridian won the 75-79 group with an 88. Lenelle Simmon got the silver medal after shooting 126.
Modell Laconte won the gold medal in the 80-84 age group with a 110.
The Mississippi Senior Olympics is for adults 50 years of age and older. It is the only qualifying event in the state sanctioned by the National Senior Games, the Senior Olympics. The National Games attract over 11,000 athletes from across the country.