CARLSON CLASSIC COMPLETE
HFD Golf Tournament in the Books
by Jack Halchak
Hurleyville, September 2021 – The foursome of Nick Price, Ty Schmidt, Mike Rojas and Dom Martinez shot fourteen under par to capture the 10th Annual Bill Carlson Golf Classic at Tarry Brae Golf Course on August 21. Their score wastwo strokes better than the group of Joe Flores, Jerry Williams, Mike Kurus and Howard Swett. Sixteen foursomes teed off in a shotgun start using the best ball format.
Bill Carlson was a Past Chief of the Hurleyville Fire Department and was extremely active in the department right up until his passing. He was the first Hurleyville Fire Chief to win the Blue Ribbon Trophy at the County Parade. It was an example and goal he set for all the Chiefs that followed him. Bill worked for Schmidt’s Wholesale for many years and retired from there. He then went to work at the Tarry Brae Golf Course as a greenskeeper. Bill loved to mow. You could put him on a mower first thing in the morning and he would mow until quitting time, then go home and mow his own lawn.
Chairmen John Jaycox and I had finished getting setup on Friday evening in the firehouse when we decided to have a taste of Bill’s favorite beverage, blackberry brandy. With a dismal weather forecast for Saturday we looked up to the heavens and said, “Bill, Fred, Charlie: DO NOT LET IT RAIN ON BILL’S TOURNAMENT.”
Saturday started out with an overcast sky in the morning and as tee time approached the clouds began to break up to reveal a blue sky with white fluffy clouds. As the day progressed, the sun made an appearance.
After a great lunch of hot dogs and burgers with all the trimmings, it was tee time.
Tarry Brae pro Jeff Walsh had the course in tip-top shape. Because of recent rains the course was lush and green. The wet fairways did not allow much of a roll. The greens were a little soft, but true. Jeff gave the final instructions and rules for the tournament, and then blew the air horn to start.
The results had John Brewer winning the Longest Drive contest on the 16th hole with a 275 yarder, and Dom Rodrigues was closest to the pin on the par-3 7th hole, 9-feet-11-inches from the cup.
Nobody won any, but there were four prizes on four different holes for a hole-in-one. On the 7th hole, it was $5,000 for the fire department and $5,000 for the golfer, a $500 VISA gift card on 11, Omaha Steaks for a year on number 17, and a set of Callaway irons on 4.
Following the tournament, Jeff Walsh and his staff put on an awards steak dinner with all the trimmings, fit for a king. The Hurleyville Fire Department wants to thank all of the Tee Sponsors and merchants who made donations of the raffle prizes. Most importantly, we thank Tarry Brae pro Jeff Walsh and his great staff for hosting us and setting up a fantastic day to honor Bill.
After the last raffle was called and cleanup began, I looked up over the course and there was a rainbow! I think it was Bill and the boys letting us know they did their part and thanked us for a job well done in honoring Bill. It quickly disappeared and I think that meant look out for Hurricane Henri the next day.