Kim Joyce, Kristen Durwachter, Vicki Fischer, and Johanna Shoeneck

Congratulations to the lovely ladies who competed in the 47th Marion Stopper Invitational. Sixty gals representing ten area clubs took part in this special one-day tournament. Teams of two teed it up for 18 holes on what was once called the Challenge. They played a two-person scramble using a modified USGA recommended handicapping system. The weather was just splendid and so was the scoring at White Deer Golf Course.

Cecilia VanCampen and Barb Pagana played well and claimed the overall title. These gals fired an incredible 8 under par 64 for the tiara. My good friend Kristen Durrwachter teamed up with her sister Kim. They posted a 63 to capture the overall NET.

Beth Walter and Merri Lunger tallied a 2 under score of 70 to win the First Flight GROSS. Please remember sports fans that it is quite okay to be GROSS in golf. Barb Maier and Wendy Cimoch shot 72 for second. Gwen Paden and Kathy Bottenfield were third with 73. Ginny Vanemon and Adriene Miller combined for a 66 NET. Deb Knepp and Joyce Troutman were one shot back for second. Kate Conway and LuAnn Dividock lost the match of cards. My bad if I misspelled your names.

Dorothy Smith and Jan Shoemaker teamed up to win the Second Flight GROSS. They carded a solid round of 75. Robin Chilson’s sons and I are good buds. She hooked up with Sherry Keller to finish second. Gail Nestlerode and Brenda Russell’s 78 took third. Beth Burchfield and Pat O’Brien counted 65 to claim the Second Flight NET. Becky Fridges and Peg Schmouder were one back at 66. Althea McBride and I share the same bday. Maybe that helped her grab third with Gail Brown.

Judy Mase and Bernie Ragan fired a 78. That was good for first place in the Third Flight GROSS. My fellow kayaking enthusiasts Candy Nevel and Ellie Tomlinson were second. Barb Michael and Vicki Fischer’s 86 captured third. Michelle LaBelle and Karen Sontag posted a 67. That won the Third Flight NET by a large margin. Carol Metzger and Chris Pysher are two of my favorites. I was thrilled to see that they finished second. Carol Smith and Rose Wheeland’s 73 NET brought home third.

“This was a great event,” White Deer Women’s Golf Association President Vicki Fischer said. “We had some lovely weather and witnessed some spectacular golf. Special thanks to the players, tournament committee, and sponsors for all of their support.”

Props to the Fischer’s Insurance Agency who provided the tee gift for every participant. There were indeed several hole sponsors. In fact, way too many to name. A large percentage of the proceeds from this year’s Marion Stopper Invitational went to the Lycoming County Special Olympics. Johanna Schoeneck was there as a representative. Dude. What happened? She is now all grown up. I did an article of this fine young lady several moons back.

It’s been a few years since I gave the ladies of White Deer Golf Course some love on this page. This was a fun assignment and it brought back many memories. Now I don’t get a chance to play as often as I once did. I really don’t miss it, but I do miss its people. I’m so glad and honored an old friend reached out and asked me to scribe. Cheers.