Golfers Brave the Sun and Heat for the Colbrese Cup Memorial Red Ball Golf Scramble

Under clear skies, and with a temperature of 84 degrees, golfers took to the greens Saturday morning, Aug. 11, at Sunnyside Golf Course for the Colbrese Cup Chamber Red Ball Golf Scramble. The threat of soaring temperatures, which would hit 108 degrees later in the day, wasn't enough to keep committed golfers from a day of fun with friends, good-natured competition, and of course, free beer.

The first Red Ball Scramble was hosted by the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture in 2012, and this summer event has become a staple for golfers. Andy Newton says of the event's history, "It blew up since then! After Terry [Colbrese]'s passing the day after last year's Red Ball, we decided to name it after him." Other golfers remarked on how much Colbrese had enjoyed himself last year, and found the renaming a fitting honor to the golfer. Seth Morehouse said, "Changing the name to the Colbrese Cup is so great, a way to remember a man that gave so much back to our community."

Now in its seventh year, the scramble saw 25 four-member teams entered. Rocky Thompson said, "It's the most teams we've ever had." Josh Sillerud expanded, "We had novice golfers to 'This is my first time swinging a club this year' golfers."

Red Ball holes required one member of each team to golf alone on one hole on both the front and back nine, while the other team members scramble. Newton described it as the deciding factor for a team, noting it really puts pressure on one to do well on the individual red ball holes. Some of that pressure may have been alleviated by the inclusion of two Mulligans with entry fees, and the option to purchase two additional Mulligans prior to the shotgun start of the cup. Just two holes into the tournament, Torey Rasmussen claimed a Mulligan on a putt, drawing praise from teammate, Thompson, "A Mulligan well used."

Laughter and jovial jeering could be heard from the tee to the putting greens and everywhere in between. Golfers didn't hold back in ribbing both teammates and opponents. Colin Kemmis drew a round of appreciative laughter for his one-liner on hole nine, "Milt [Hallock] can read these greens like he reads Braille." Golfers were also quick with praise though. Morehouse said of the day, "It was hot but a great day on the links. Lots of great golfers out there. Andy Newton's team won, but Rocky Thompson's team shot a 31 on the front nine: unreal."

Newton himself also lauded his fellow golfers on hole nine, pointing out the potential of two great drives, one by Thompson, "This is my favorite hole because if you can get on the green in two, you're putting for eagle, which is really rare."

Participants were pleased with their day of golfing. When asked if he's looking forward to next year's cup, Morehouse said, "Absolutely. One of the best things I've been a part of."

Team Boomtown, sponsored by Hi-Line Ford, comprised of Newton, J. Sillerud, Red Sillerud, and Breilyn Riggin came out on top this year. The team went birdie, eagle, par and birdie on the last four holes to snag the top spot after coming up just short the past several years.

Terry Newton, Stan Ozark, Bob Meiers and Jill Meiers joined forces for a second place finish. The team of Michael Myrick, Karl Krause, Katie Anderson, and TJ Synan finished out the top three. "It was a great day! A little warm but there was a nice breeze, lots of cold drinks and great food to end the day. Plus, we had really fun people to play with," said Anderson, a relative novice to the game. With only a few tournaments under her belt, she was pleased to come in third, saying, "This year, I just got lucky. Pretty much all I brought to the tournament was a big handicap. I was lucky enough to have a great team to carry me to third."

Thompson, Kemmis, Rasmussen and Chris Richter, sponsored by Thompson & Sons, wrapped up first in overall gross.

Lindsey Peterson's team finished just out of the money, "We finished fourth so I'm pretty happy. And we had a great group to spend the sweltering day with."

Participants expressed gratitude to the Chamber and sponsors for a great event. Peterson, a fourth-year participant, said, "Tournaments and Chamber events wouldn't be possible without the continued support of sponsors. Can't say it enough, this community is very generous!" Kemmis demonstrated that generosity, donating his 50/50 winnings to the daughters of Terry Colbrese, who were raising money for the new city pool.

Hole Sponsors contributed so that golfers could compete to win prizes and cash on each hole. Dixon Golf was set up on hole 4, and Hi-Line Ford gave $400 for closest to the pin on holes 4 and 6, just two of many sponsors for the event. New this year was a chance to win a Pebble Beach golf weekend, worth $11,000 and a 19th Hole competition, offering $25,000 to anyone who managed to sink a hole-in-one. "We had about 20 people shoot for the $25,000 on the 19th Hole. Unfortunately, nobody came away with the $25,000 in their pockets," lamented J. Sillerud, but nonetheless, "Overall the tournament was a great success."