06/03/2026
Rewind to 2022, just moved back to Madisonville after selling the Ranch in Oklahoma. The neighbors had started golfing and ask me to join them, after find my clubs I had hauled all over and cleaning the rust off them, I joined them on Tuesday golf games. Which went to two or three times a week and started getting a little better. Then rumor had it the course may be closing, I was basically retired and some how I ended up gaining the trust in Mrs. Liz to run it. Heck I couldn’t even hit two balls in a row the same much less know anything about managing a golf course. With the help from YouTube videos and trying to soak in any information from other grounds keepers from other courses I managed to figure out the equipment and somewhat take care of the course. I must have improved the course somewhat because Marcus Bennett, Mason Markham and Austin Aguirre came to me about having a tournament. Given it was to take place a week after I took possession. We had 32 teams and all was good, year two the course was a little better and we had 50 teams and around 100 spectators watching. I really didn’t think we could get better than that, boy was I wrong!
This year we had 72 teams the money was better than any tournament that I’ve heard about. These guys are God Sent, everyone had a great time and we had some awesome golfers. I’m amazed of the support that Madison County has given us in helping sponsor our tournament and the people that played in it.
What these guys had vision and it has turned into one of the best tournaments of its kind in this part of the State. The course still has a long way to go to be what I want it to look like, and your patience is appreciated. I can promise it will keep getting better as I go and trust my I intuition, I have been to taking baby steps scared I might mess something up.
I want to thank not only these three but also Clint Carroll, Robert Lewis, Thomas Collard, Steven Padgett, Bill McMane, who has always been a phone call away whenever I need help they have done more than words can ever express. Also my wife, Jessica, who was not really on board in the beginning, she holds down the fort and makes ends meet. Which is hard to do in the Golf business. Lastly our help Taylor Cummings, Micheal Taylor and my daughter Chelsey Hartley who put in the extra hours to make sure the course was mowed for this tournament, she worked her tail off. Also Brenda Rodriguez and Janelle Julliete for their help inside during this tournament.
Thanks to everyone that worked and played to make this tournament a great event. It sure has been rewarding for me to see the enthusiasm and helps me look forward for the future of the course.
Thanks again!
I knew I was going to forget someone and I can forget Dwayne Standley he has been my fertilizer/chemical expert and has donated seed and has offered his help too.