By Deborah Chapman
The spirit of almost 100 golfers was not dampened by the rainy weather at the Seventh-Annual Neil Gutshall Memorial Golf Tournament held Labor Day weekend at Holly Meadows Golf Course in Parsons, West Virginia.
It has always been a privilege to write about Neil Gutshall as he is reared as one of the most beloved followers of this sport called golf and very much respected throughout the community. His love of children, Tucker County Schools and Holly Meadows Golf Course draws the admiration from everyone that met this gentle giant. Throughout his years in Tucker County, Neil Gutshall became known to all as “Coach.” He never spoke an unkind word or raised his voice about any student athlete but because of his demeanor he was very much appreciated and valued as one of our greatest coaches in Tucker County. His love of golf and for Holly Meadows Golf Course was apparent during his life. He worked tirelessly to provide any improvements to enhance this small golf course in Parsons, WV.
This year two major sponsors provided an exciting venue. On Saturday on hole number 6, (a par three), St. George Medical Clinic sponsored a hole-in-won prize of $50,000.00 and on the same hole but on Sunday, Performance Motors of Elkins and Parsons were prepared to give away a new 2017 Chevy for a hole-in-one. Golfers felt sure this was going to be the year that someone won one of the big prices. However, no one won the big prize but the golf competition was enjoyed throughout both days of the scheduled event. The event consisted of a two-man team scramble hosting 44 teams making a total of 88 golfers representing a range of ages including, Carleigh Bolyard, our very own outstanding high school golf team member. Throughout the scramble, all participants from surrounding areas as well as participants from across the state, agreed the tournament was organized and run flawlessly.
The tourney, sponsored by Holly Meadows Golf Course under the direction of Tucker County Parks and Recreation Board and with the support from many businesses, raised much needed funds for the maintenance of the Holly Meadows Golf Course. The Holly Meadows Golf Course has very little funding through the Tucker County Parks and Recreation Council’s budget. The event — which raised more than $7000 – always takes place at The Holly Meadows Golf Course during the Labor Day weekend and net proceeds from the event solely support the maintenance of Holly Meadows Golf Course.
Every year many of the participants boast about Holly Meadows Golf Course and of this tournament. One person, continually says, “I will be back every year.” Another gentleman says, “I know I’ll never be in the championship flight but the friendly competition, the food, the course and the prices are phenomenal.” This event held every year continues to bring together a sampling of the region’s golf fanatics with a wide diversity of skill levels.
The day begins with all competitors meeting concerning the rules of the tournament and the specifics of the course. Each day provides a picnic style lunch and dinner. On the final day an awards program is held to award cash prizes as well as golf course packages too many individuals and teams. The championship was awarded to the team of Justin Tanner and Ali Forsyth. A big congratulations to the 2017 winners to an exciting end to this year’s tournament! The second day of the tournament, teams were flighted and winners of the following flights were: 5th flight: Sandy Welton & Fritz Corey; 4th flight: Mike Triplett & Dave Hansford; 3rd flight: Cappy & Larry Cappy; 2nd flight; Carleigh Bolyard & Brandyn Hamrick, 1st flight: Calvin Dearborn & Travis Hamrick. Other prizes awarded were closest to the pin and skins each day.
“It’s been an incredible success,” said many players. We know that Neil Gutshall would be so proud to have his name associated with such a fine event and we know he is smiling now.
“We’re very, very pleased,” said the Golf Committee with all the community support for such an outstanding event. “As I’ve said 100 times, maybe more, this was one of our Dad’s wishes. He loved sports and especially the game of golf. He coached it and he played it. He wanted to make sure it was stable here in the Parsons area, and we’re grateful that we’ve been able to make his wishes come true,” said by both his sons, Tom and Bob Gutshall.
However, without the support of the community and the businesses an event such as this magnitude would never be possible. The Holly Meadows Golf Committee would like to take this opportunity to give a huge thank you to the following businesses for their generous support of the Annual Neil Gutshall Memorial Golf Tournament:
Miners & Merchant Bank, Mountaineer Contractors Inc., Idaho OTB Security, DOMINION ENERGY, Bonners Body Shop, Mountain Valley Bank, NA, Hansford Insurance Agency, Inc., Land of Canaan Home Owners, Assoc.,Inc., Robert N. Gtushall’s State Farm Insurance, Personal Best Athletics, Ricottilli Lumber Co. Inc., Moore’s Farm Service & Sales, Best of Canaan, LLC, The Ice Cream Shop, East-West Printing, Inc., McClain Printing Company, Kidwell Auto Parts, Inc., Sirianni’s Pizza Shop, Big John’s Family Fixing & Caffe Pastieceria, Mountain Top Realty & Rentals, Phillips Electronics, Little Andi’s Restaurant, Lohr & Barb Funeral Home, Myers Auto Repair, Appalachian Animal Hospital, Cooper & Preston Attorneys, Benbush Business Service, MUD Ceramics, Hellbenders Restaurant, TC’s Gun Shop, Sweco Furniture, WV Paving, Christmas Shoppe & More, The Hair Haven, Blackwater Insurance Group, Davis Shop n Save, Parsons Shop n Save, Advance Auto, The Auto Zone, Citizens Bank of WV, Adkins Home Center, The Elks Country Club, Canaan Valley Resort, Jim’s All Star, Mastercraft Printing, Lantz Plumbing, Hinchcliff Lumber Co., Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, Flying Pig Restaurant, Mane Stream Salon, Blackwater Bikes, C.J. Pizzeria, Blackwater Brewery, Stevens Florist, Elks Country Club, Mountainview Golf Course, Lakeview Golf Course, Bel Meadows Golf Course, Valley View Golf Course, Oakland Country Club Golf Course, Alpine Lake Golf Course, Stonewall Resort, Clarksburg Country Club Golf Course, Performance Motors, Bolyard Construction, Parsons Woodworking, St. George Medical Clinic, Allegheny Wood Products, Mike Lantz, Tim Osborne, Country Roads Bar and Grill, Southern States, Awesome Auto, United Financial Center, Tucker County Girls Softball League, CGP Foods, The Dug Out, Personal Best Athletics, Little Andi’s, Tygart Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Surock Monument, Industrial Powder Coatings, Fish n Chips, Grant County Bank, Thomasyard, Riverfront Antiques, Five Rivers Camp Ground, Bobby Clifton, Forest Festival Committee, Elkins Builders, Elkins Distributing, and 7th Street Car Wash.
