By Debra Chapman
The spirit of 80 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 many improvements to enhance this small golf course in Parsons, WV. It is such an honor to write about Neil Gutshall and his continued legacy. However, Coach Gutshall has two sons, Tom and Bob, that have continued their father’s life’s work and share the love of the game of golf. Tom and Bob volunteer tirelessly to promote the Holly Meadows Golf Course from mowing greens to generous financial provisions. While many other community members join Tom and Bob in their efforts they have become persistent with their intentions to carry on their father’s legacy. Because of the founders and Coach Gutshall’s dream. Holly Meadows has flourish by becoming a premier golf course. What a tribute!
The two major sponsors provided an exciting event. 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 Sunday Performance Motors of Elkins and Parsons were prepared to give away a new 2018 Chevy Cruse for a hole-in-one on the same hole. Every year golfers feel this is going to be the year that someone would win 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 40 teams making a total of 80 golfers representing a range of ages. The Holly Meadows Golf Course has very little funding through the Tucker County Parks and Recreation Council’s budget. However, this 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.
The championship was awarded to the team of Brandon Tinney and Mark Simms. This team was not only awarded a monetary prize, but Tim Osbourne from Clarksburg provided championship trophies. The winners of flight one, Mike Cooper and Travis Hamrick were awarded a monetary amount as well as trophies provided by Broughten’s of Elkins, WV.
The tournament’s team winners of the following flights were: 5th flight: Sandy Welton & Fritz Corey; 4th flight: Zach Elmore & McGee; 3rd flight: Kurt Hopwood & Rodney Elmore; 2nd flight; Sean Wing & Brian Collect. Other prizes awarded were closest to the pin and skins each day.
“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.
Sponsors for the event were: Carter Roag Coal Company, 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 & Cafe Pastieceria, Phillips Electronics, Little Andi’s Restaurant, Lohr & Barb Funeral Home, Myers Auto Repair, Appalachian Animal Hospital, 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, The Auto Zone, Citizens Bank of WV, Adkins Home Center, Canaan Valley Resort, Jim’s All Star, Mastercraft Printing, Hinchcliff Lumber Co., Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, Flying Pig Restaurant, C.J. Pizzeria, Blackwater Brewery, Stonewall Golf and Resort, Clarksburg Country Club Golf Course, Performance Motors, Bolyard Construction, Parsons Woodworking, St. George Medical Clinic, Tim Osborne, Southern States, Awesome Auto, Thomas United Financial Center, Tucker County Girls Softball League, The Dug Out, Little Andi’s, Tygart Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Surock Monument, Industrial Powder Coatings, Grant County Bank, Thomasyard Florist, Riverfront Antiques, Five Rivers Camp Ground, Elkins Builders, Ranger Jane’s, Bodkins Enterprises of Elkins, Reliable Roofing of Elkins, Randolph-Hosteller’s Funeral Home, Parsons Pizza, The Purple Fiddle, Ebert Corp dba McDonalds of Parsons, Elliot Jones Financial Group of Elkins, AWP (Allegheny Wood Products), Tucker County Community Pharmacy, Mountain State Honey, Three Castle Antique Shop, Dollar General of Parsons, B.F. Long Shop, Blackwater Bikes, Deerfield Village, Smile Horse Stables of Canaan, Sheetz of Parsons, Parsons Rite Aid, Elkins Rite Aid, Blackwater State Park, Summerfield Salvage, Sheriff Brian Wilfong, Mountain State Hospice of Parsons, Rt. 72 Auto of Hendricks, SEARS of Elkins, The Country Market of Elkins, Parker Hall State Farm Insurance and 7th Street Car Wash.
