Under sunny skies and warm temperatures, Holly Meadows Golf Course in Parsons, hosted the tenth-annual Neil Gutshall Memorial Golf Tournament Aug.31 and Sept.. 1. Although no one won the hole-in-won prize, a convertible 2013 Camaro provided by Performance Motors of Parsons and Elkins, everyone enjoyed a wonderful competition throughout both days of the scheduled event. The field consisted of 42 two man teams with all ages represented. Throughout the scramble, all participants from surrounding areas 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 Council and with the support from many businesses, raised much needed funds for the maintenance of the Golf Course. This event every year continues to bring together a sampling of the region’s golf fanatics with a wide diversity of skill levels.
The event — which raised more than $4000 — took place at The Holly Meadows Golf Course during the Labor Day weekend. The name of Neil Gutshall is reared as one of the beloved followers of this sport of golf. Mr. Gutshall was a huge supporter of Holly Meadows Golf Course and worked endlessly throughout his life to promote this small course.
“This is one of the best small golf courses in West Virginia and I love coming here to play annually. The tournament is so much fun and the food is phenomenal”, boasted one gentleman from Barbour County. “It is such a privilege to come and play in such a relaxing and beautiful setting. I’ll be back every year if I am able.” Another player told supporters that, “I can see the grass was not happy to see me come in today. But today is just fun.”
The day began with a competitors meeting concerning the rules of the tournament and each day was followed by a picnic style lunch and dinner. On the final day an awards program was held to award cash prizes to many individuals and teams with the ultimate prize going to Ryan Michael and Ben Hamrick. Ryan and Ben were two local graduates of Tucker County High School where they played on the high school golf team. Congratulations to Ben and Ryan! Net proceeds from the event solely support the maintenance of Holly Meadows Golf Course.
“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 Mr. Gutshall’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 lasting here in the Parsons area, and we’re gratified that we’ve been able to make his wishes come true.”
However, without the support of the community and the businesses an event such as this would never be possible. Among the sponsors were:
Woodford Oil Company, Mountaineer Contractors, Inc., Miners & Merchants Bank, Performance Chevrolet, Bonners Body Shop, Moore’s Farm Service & Sales, Myers Auto Repair, Cooper & Preston, PLLC., Gutshall State Farm Insurance, Bolyard Construction, Golden Anchor, Inc., East-West Printing, Hansford Insurance, McClain Printing Co., Mathena, LLC-The Davis Ice Cream Shoppe, Stevens Florist, Inc., Citizens Bank of WV, Ricottilli Lumber Co., Big John’s Family Fixins, BenBush Business Service, The Hair Haven Adkins Home Center, Best of Canaan, LLC, Guttman Oil Co., CJ’s Pizzeria, K-9 Cuts, Enchanted Cakes, Cookies, & Moore, Blackwater Insurance Group, Chenoweth Electric, Sears of Elkins, Hellbenders, Christmas Shoppe, Sirianni’s Café, Little Andi’s, Lantz Plumbing, D & D Lighting, Hinchcliff Lumber Co., Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, Mountain Valley Bank, Phillips’s Electronics, Parker Hall State Farm Insurance, Alleghany Wood Products, William Nestor, PLLC., West Virginia Paving, Davis Shop n Save, Elkins Rite Aid, Big Lots, Parsons Shop n Save, Elkins Rite Aid, CJ Maggie’s, Parsons Wellness Center, Elkins Shop n Save, Advance Auto, The Auto Zone, NAPA, Jones Auto Works, Jim’s All Star, The Flying Pig, Lohr & Barb Funeral Home, Personal Best Athletics, American Electric, White, The Inter-Mountain, Mr. State Forest Festival, Crazy Harrys.
