Area Golf: Top area players to converge at Madden's

Is your golf game good enough to tackle The Classic at Madden's?

Do you have a bunch of friends who are as crazy as you?

If so, it's time to put your money where your mouth is and sign up for the Brainerd Sports Boosters Classic 6-6-6 Shootout.

A fee of $100 per player gets you into the tournament that has both a gross and a net division. Tee times begin at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the premier golf course of Madden's Resort in East Gull Lake.

There is a 7 p.m. reception and dinner at the Madden Inn North Star room. This will include an auction Calcutta.

"That was a fun event last year," said Jim Hunt, one of the tournament organizers. "We have a live auction where all the teams are up for grabs. Doug Campbell was our auctioneer last year and he'll be back to do it again this year. Everyone enjoyed that. I've never seen it done before. It was fun for me to experience all that and see how it happened. It went smoothly."

The tournament format is a two-person team with holes 1-6 played as better ball. Holes 7-12 are played as a scramble and the final six hole are a modified alternate shot.

The field will hold 36 teams. There are still a few slots open for those who think they're good enough to win against some of the best players in the lakes area.

"We had 33 teams last year and it went well," said Hunt. "We had a couple of suggestions for changes and we made those in terms of handicaps and also the pace of play. We've addressed those issues and we think that will make this year better than last year. The feedback was positive. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The night before party and food and stuff was just outstanding. With Madden's it is always very good."

Hunt said the projected forecast is for good weather. The tournament is open to both men and women. If players do not have a handicap, they will work with Madden's head PGA professional Glenn Hagberg to create a fair number in order to compete in both divisions.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club, which raises money to support Brainerd area youth athletics.

"Madden's has been very generous with this whole event," Hunt said. "It's a fun thing and the bottom line is money is going to the sports boosters to give to programs in the Brainerd community. That's the biggest part of this event. That and it's a fun event, too."

A pair of Shawns won the event last season with a 70. Shawn Carter and Shawn Chambers tied Tim Johnson and Bud Sourdiff for the title. Hagberg and Nick Christenson placed fifth with a 74. The team of Joel Clough and Justin Heitkamp placed seventh with a 79.

The net title went to Dan and Kevin Trout, who were able to top the team of Greg Lindberg and Tom Kientzle. Todd Ringler and Doug Campbell were third.

To register, or for more information, interested players can contact The Classic at Madden's at 218-829-2811 or Hunt at 218-828-1365. Players can also visit brainerdsportsboosters.org and sign up that way. There is a link to the tournament registration and payment can be made through the website.