Mike Amos

By Sports Columnist

Greenville’s David Hancock shot a 54 hole, 16 under par, 200, to win the annual Troy County Club Invitational Golf Tournament last weekend in Troy.

Hancock, of the famous Greenville golf family and a former Troy State golfer, fought off late charges by Troy’s Joey Holley and Bill Brunson.

Hancock led by five strokes over Montgomery’s Stan Sherlin after the first 27 holes on Saturday and then overcame Holley’s brilliant 65 on the first 18 on Sunday to win by four shots.

Brunson closed the gap on Sunday with a blistering 68, but could not catch Hancock who was very consistent the entire tournament.

Hancock’s 54 hole total was 200, followed by Holley at 204 and Brunson’s 205.

Troy investment banker Terry Mobley won the B Division with a 208 total after a fabulous 31 on the last nine holes.

Troy State golfer Cleve Daniels was second at 209, followed by Jim Jackson at 210 and Wendall "Homerun" Stephens with a 214.

The C Division was won by Bennie Thornton with a 214. Troy’s Alton Starling was second at 218, Don Jacobs, third with a 221, and Jim Teal finished fourth with a 222.

Troy’s smooth swinging Lyle Wise won the first flight with a three over par, 219. Trojans’ Johnny Law, 221, and Hunter Hanson, 227, placed second and third respectively. Randy Hornsby won the fourth place prize with a 238.

In the second flight, Troy’s Jack Byars was on top with a 227 followed by Trojans’ Buddy Hargrove’s 234 and Jason Richburg’s 237.

The third flight champion was Troy’s own L.B. Pevehouse, followed by Bill Mathews, 234, of Troy, and T.B.T’s Bill Scarbrough’s 237. Casey Jones finished fourth with a 240.

TCC pro Tony Mitchell was very pleased with the turn-out.

"We had 10 players in the tournament whose handicaps were below scratch and the scores indicated it," he said. "Fifteen golfers were under par for the 54 holes."

Hancock joins some good company with his victory. Former professional golfer B.R. Mac McLendon won the event four times.

Troy’s Barney Burnett won it three times, Opp’s Craig Clemons twice, as well as Greenville’s Jim Ryan Sr. and Jim Ryan Jr., Brundidge’s Ronnie Mobley, Thomasville’s Mike Griffin, Louisville’s Wink Haigler, Enterprise’s Tom Cox and former TSU golfers Mike Wright and Josh Broderway to name a few.

The Troy Country Club Invitational is rich in tradition.