Golfers gather at Hankerd Hills Course for 24th annual Stockbridge Athletic Golf Scramble

Jim & Anita Lister, retired SCS teachers, former coaches, and part of the founders of the golf scramble, traveled from their home in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee (approximately 540 miles)  to take part in the 24th annual golf scramble.

Bob Roberts, Robbie Pittman, Tom Tabor, & Don Porter enjoying the golf scramble. Robbie & Tom, friends of Don Porter, traveled 620 miles from Whittier, North Carolina to play in the golf scramble. After the scramble Robbie, Tom, and their wives toured Michigan.

by Jessica Martell

Pleasant Lake, Mich. – Early on the morning of Friday, July 27, 160 golfers gathered at Hankerd Hills Golf Course to compete in the 24th annual Stockbridge Athletic Golf Scramble, the proceeds of which fund various school-sponsored athletic programs.

This year saw a noted increase in participation, particularly among younger golfers, although the founding fathers of the event, Jim Brown and Jim Lister, who traveled from Tennessee with his wife Anita to compete on a co-ed team, were also in attendance.  Another noteworthy competitor was first-time participant Meghan Kunzelman, the recently appointed Junior High Principal/Athletic Director at Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School, whose team, “3 Smiths and Meghan” took first place in the co-ed division.

The Stockbridge Athletic Golf Scramble, which is always held on the last Friday in July, has generally enjoyed fair weather.  However, this year the outlook was grim as participants registered and breakfasted during a brief downpour. The foul weather was of particular bother to many golfers who found themselves unprepared for the elements as local weather reports had not predicted morning rain.  Fortunately, the rain let up some as the golfers loaded their clubs. By the time teams took to their tees at 8 a.m. for the shotgun start, it was barely sprinkling, and before golfers putted on the second hole, the rain had ceased completely, giving way to pleasant temperatures and even some afternoon sunshine.

Eager golfers sign up for mulligans.

Breakfast before heading out to the links.

Golfers enjoying breakfast.

First place “Women’s Division” winners, Kathy McClinchey, Jessica Martell, Mackenzie Williams, & Judy Williams are holding the coveted golf towel and plaque.