A local golfing tradition celebrated its 29th anniversary Saturday when the Northwestern State Lady Demon basketball program hosted the annual Don’t Die Wondering Classic, and very nearly gave away a new truck

Bruce Primm, playing for the First Federal Savings and Loan foursome, nearly aced the par-3, 165-yard 10th hole. Golfers in the Don’t Die Wondering Classic since 1989 have strived for a hole-in-one on that green in the Foy Motors Challenge. Primm had one of the closest calls with a 5-wood that hit the flagstick, but rolled about a yard past.

Foy Motors of Many has provided a new vehicle annually to incentivize the tournament’s participants.

Meanwhile, the foursome of Dennis Breland, Bill Townsend, William Breland and Brian Edens had the morning’s best score, 17-under par, to win the low gross competition, top prize in the tournament.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office team won low net honors with an adjusted 19.7 score, using a handicap system. Jay Bankston, Yancy Spillman, Trent Pettit and Roger Henson were the low net champs.

Second place in low gross went to the Beauregard Parish-based quartet of Eddie Thomas, Larry Mosley, Ernie Bryant and Joey WIllis. Thomas, father of Lady Demon senior point guard Sami Thomas, was part of a team shooting 16 under.

The Walsh Timber team took second in low net, posting a 19.1 adjusted score. Hunter Mulliken was joined by Joe Bienvenu, Steve Taylor and Mike Kyle.

Third in low net, at 17.7, was the Sabine Parish foursome of John Migliore, Larry Hataway, Charlie Mason and Clay Henry.

Demon Sports Network announcer Patrick Netherton and Shreveport Times sportswriter Roy Lang III joined K.P. Miles and Matt Bates on the third place low gross team, carding a 15 under.

Bates won closest-to-the-hole on the 195-yard par-3 ninth hole with a shot to five feet, nine inches.

William Breland was the long drive champion on the 16th hole. Miles captured the putting contest crown.

Nearly 80 golfers took part in the event at the Demon Hills Golf Course. Lady Demon coach Jordan Dupuy said about $15,000 in entry fees, other golf revenue and sponsorships was generated by the Don’t Die Wondering Classic to support the NSU women’s basketball program.

Photos by Chris Reich/Northwestern State