Last Saturday saw the beginning of what should become an annual Demopolis event: the Demopolis Country Club’s Junior Golf Tournament.

The tournament is the brainchild of country club member and former junior golf competitor Rodney Bell, who along with committee members Andy Eddins and Rob Pearson organized Saturday’s event.

“This is something that we took upon ourselves,” Bell said. “We wanted to get something together for the kids, get the word out and blow it up. We’ll continue to do it from here on out.”

40 young golfers competed in six different age groups ranging from five years old all the way up to seasoned high school golfers at 17 years of age. Bell said that he could not have been happier with the level of interest in this year’s event–but hopes to have even more at this time in 2006.

“We had a great turnout,” he says. “40 kids, and we hope to have 80 next year.”

Bell added that he was also impressed by the level of play from the golfers in attendance, despite the fact that, in his estimation, there are fewer junior golf events in the area than in his junior golfing days–which explains his motivation for working towards putting Saturday’s tournament together.

“They looked really good out there,” he says. “I just wanted to give something back. It’s great to see a bunch of 8-year-olds, dressed sharp, out on the golf course.”

Bell, who “definitely” wished to thank the tournament’s many generous sponsors, also expressed his gratitude to the country club’s cooperation in staging the tournament.

“We want to thank them for allowing us to do it,” he said.

The DCC Jr. Golf Committee wishes to thank the following sponsors for their support of the tournament: The Gold Mine, Southern Pipe and Supply, Big sonny’s BBQ, Collins Communications, ALFA Insurance, Davis Glass Shop, Newton Tire, Borden Chemical, Signs by Doug Null, Parr’s Chevron, Mr. Garry Malone, Holiday Cleaners, Windham Motor Co., NAPA Auto Parts, Mr. Robert Wood, the Ravine Golf Course, and the Demopolis Country Club board and staff.