At their core, all golf tournaments offer the thrill of competition to every participant and amplify the importance of every shot in a way that a casual round simply cannot. As nerve-wracking as they may be, golfers yearn for those first tee jitters and pressure-packed five-foot putts.

This may or may not have been the anticipation for the golfers playing in the 26th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament for Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. Friday, May 28, 2021 was a beautiful morning for tee time at Lew Wentz Memorial Golf Course in Ponca City. “As always, Rod Alexander and his staff at Wentz Golf Course had the course in great shape and the tournament ran very smoothly,” stated Wendy Stobbe, Chief Executive Officer, for Hospice of North Central Oklahoma.

The annual tournament is a key fundraising event for the benefits that Hospice provides to the community. Funds raised through this event provide needed support for the many programs offered at no cost to hospice patients. There were 110 players in the tournament that honored golfers who have passed and patients of Hospice of NCO. For the 26th anniversary milestone, 45 people who were recognized from over the past 25 years were honored this year.

Heather Cannon Honda offered a 2021 Honda Pilot for a Hole-in-one prize on hole 3 and Bintz Pharmacy offered Bintz Bucks for an additional hole-in-one prize on hole 14. Following the tournament, lunch was provided by Brad Irons and George Pease with D&P Tank and Kasi Kinzie, owner of Ody’s Sports Bar, and served in the courtyard at Ody’s. Refreshments on the course were donated by Farha, James Stockton Insurance, and 7-Up/Dr. Pepper Bottling Company.

AirMedCare/Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter arrived prior to lunch for viewing and conversation with the crew, also offering membership information and giveaways.

Results of the tournament were: First place team, Josh Pitts, Kent Seiler, Jennifer Swords, and Sheila Stransky. Second place team, Shane Burdick, Trey Branscum, Pat Mulligan, and Ted Impson. Third place team, Dale Chapman, Allen Hardesty, Amy Burdick, and Jessica Swain. Fourth place team, Paul Taylor, Jim Logsdon, Barbara Wright, and Bill Wright. Fifth place team, Ryan Austin, Ron Cremers, Bill Guebelle, and Jim Schones. Sixth place team, Ryan Austin, Ron Cremers, Brad Beaty, and Larry Murphy. These teams won gift certificates to the Lew Wentz Pro Shop.

Closest to hole pin results were: hole #3 Ted Impson, hole #5 Brad Beaty, hole #10 Scott Morris and hole #14 Jim Logsdon, all won a round of golf and cart for one person, courtesy of Lew Wentz Golf Course. For hole #16 Mike Lewis won a dozen Titlesist Golf Balls, courtesy of Larry Murphy Insurance. Door prizes were donated by Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters, The Perk, El Patio, Rib Crib, Whimsy, Equity Bank, Rikki’s Market, Ponca City Country Club, Cookshack, Bintz Pharmacy and Deb Leaming, Leaming Construction.

A special thank you to the hospice staff and volunteers who helped make the tournament a success. Hospice of North Central Oklahoma is located at 445 Fairview Avenue, Ponca City. If you need information about hospice services or our free community programs, please call the office at 580-762-9102.