Parker golf trip a resounding success

December isn’t typically recognized as the ideal month to plan a golf outing.

But in Southern Arizona, where the sun shines for more than 340 days each year, December is seen as the perfect time for a group of Green Valley golfers to gather in Parker for three days of fun.

More than 50 local golfers made the trip this year to the Emerald Canyon Golf Course on Dec. 9 and enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather.

“The pairings party on Sunday was fun for all and the raffle raised funds for The University of Arizona Cancer Research,” said Dick Smith, organizer of the Parker golf outing.

Dec. 10 featured the two-best-balls competition.

Elton Zuehlke, Sandra McDonald, Marlan Nugent and Janet Lang took first place with a score of 124.

Second place went to Barbara Schmitt, Paul Miller and Wanda Brooks at 128 after winning a three-way tie breaker.

Art Schott, Jim Mahoney, Mary Simon and Sue Rothenhoefer won third prize, with Norman Brooks, Lynne Martin, Emily Logan and Lyle Bitker wrapping up Monday’s festivities in fourth.

Brooks and Lang won the closest-to-the-pin award on hole No. 5.

As for the Dec. 11 competition, Ron Ellis, Gail Wright and Rotherhoefer won the grand prize at 124.

Doug Nord, Martin, Jim Loveland and Betty Flood finished second, one stroke back.

Norman Brooks, Margi Smith, Morlan Nugent and Dick Smith took third at 128.

Jack Ecker, Vaughn Reinhart, Logan and Dan Martin wrapped up the outing at 129.

Ecker took Tuesday’s closest-to-the-pin award on hole No. 5.

Jack and Maureen Ecker have volunteered to spearhead next year’s outing, set for Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

“So be sure to mark those calendars,” Smith said.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747