Payson Roundup

With the 2009 season winding to a halt, Payson Men’s Golf Association members are preparing to gather Nov. 16 at Diamond Point Shadows to celebrate the culmination of a successful season in which most all the players swung their way to wins, plaudits, prize money and more than a few chortles.

At an Oct. 28 individual low-net tournament, the second to last fray of the season, Jesse Smith continued his solid play winning A flight honors with a 66.

Smith has racked up a long list of accomplishments including winning a point par tournament, taking the low-gross title at a Silver Creek tournament and reaching the semifinals of the PMGA Club championship two years ago.

Trailing Smith in the low-net shootout was runner-up Phil Wagner with a 68.

Former Scottsdale Coronado basketball coach and teacher Herb Sherman dribble drove, fast broke and back screened his way to a 71 and was third.

With a 74, Steve Vincent took fourth.

In B flight, Richard Harding topped all posing a 66.

With a 67, Ed Flores was second and Bill Shedd’s 68 was good enough for third.

Popeye Clay flexed his muscular and tattooed forearms well enough to impress Olive Oyl.

He finishing fourth in the flight and took closest-to-the-pin prize money on No. 17 where he was within 24 feet, 6 inches of the flag.

In the red flight, Don Gyde was first, Ralph Lindo second and Larry Baker third.

Gyde finished at 70, Lindo carded a 71 and Baker posted a 74.

Closest-to-the-pin champions other than Clay were Dick Ceyler (No. 8; 14 feet), Morris Kropf (No. 14; 24 feet, 6 inches) and Lindo (No. 5; 19 feet, 9 inches).