BY HATTIE FRANCIS/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
hattiefrancis@gmail.com

COURTLAND—The 17th annual Southampton Academy Bobby Marks Classic Golf Tournament at Cypress Cove Country Club ended in a three-way tie, with the winner being determined by team handicaps.

Shooting a 56, the team of Kenny McClelland, Marlin McClelland, Ray Moore and Jay Lee took first.

Second went to the team of R.P. Watson, David Helms, Rick McGee and Eric Edwards, and third went to Mark Pope, Tony Clark, Lex Cobb and Chris Purvis.

The team of Frank Rabil, Marshall Rabil, Barry Nolf and Bob Nolf placed fourth with a 58.

The 26 teams raised $18,000 to $20,000 during the June 13 event.

“It’s probably one of the best crowds we’ve had in the last seven to eight years,” said John Moore Drewry, a member of the school’s athletic committee.

The committee is responsible for the teams, referees and uniforms.

“It’s responsible for equipment, and it’s part of what we do at the academy as far as the athletic committee,” Drewry said.

In the past, the tournament has also funded concession stands, new fencing, batting cages and other sports-related equipment.

“What we try to do to draw students to the academy is have a good athletic program,” he said. “We feel like that’s one of our strong points.”

The tournament used to be called the SA Golf Classic. Last year it was changed to the Bobby Marks Golf Classic because Bobby Marks started it.

“He gave so much to get it going,” Drewry said.