The Ace Cannon Tourney Quickly Approaching

Stepping outside the golf cart, he calmly approached the tee box on the third hole. With a stroke as smooth as silk, he connected. The ball, a high draw right down the middle, rested nicely after it surpassed the balls that landed before it. A fellow golfer shouted, “nice stroke!” He simply smiled and said, “that’s for my wife, she bought me this club.”

The course was Pine Hills Country Club, located just a few miles north of Derma. The man was Tom Scarbrough. This would be his last Ace Cannon Golf Tournament, but to ask the many who frequently play at PHCC, he relished every one of them. For the players in the field of the 2008 tournament, each will field memories that will last a lifetime.

PHCC is a nine-hole golf course with majestic pine trees in view on every hole. The challenging course offers many difficult shots when the summer foliage is in full bloom. The terrain alters numerous shots due to the rolling hills and the undulations of the Bermuda grass greens, which make it difficult to hold incoming approach shots. The greens at PHCC are synonymous for being fast. In fact, very fast.

Unlike many courses throughout the state, PHCC is owned by its members and has a governing body consisting of Doug Bullard, David Lee, Jr., Greg Pollan, Michael Caviness, John Michael Harmon and Allen Clarke.

On June 14^th, golfers will converge upon PHSS for “the Ace.” The tournament is named for legendary Calhoun County native Ace Cannon. Known throughout the nation for his ability to make magic flow from his saxophone, Cannon has played venues from Norway to Vancouver, British Columbia. Named the “Godfather of the Saxophone,” Cannon has recorded 67 albums and continues to this day to tour throughout the nation. Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records and attributed with the discovery of Elvis Presley once said, “Ace Cannon is the greatest saxophone player who ever lived, but then he came out of the same stables as Carl Perkins, Elvis, Jerry Lee, Bill Justice, etc.” Not bad company, if you ask me.

The two-day tournament will be a three-person scramble and spots to play are at a premium. “We have quite the interest this year as many people have called to sign up already.” Vice President of PHCC David Lee, Jr. said. “We have a limited number of spots available and they are quickly filling up, as it is important for anyone wanting to sign up to call the pro shop as soon a possible at 662-628-5213.”

The tourney will allow the participants to play a practice round on Friday, followed by a crawfish boil that evening. “With the tournament players filling the roster each and every year, we allow a free practice round to the players and wanted to be able to provide supper on Friday as well.” PHCC President Doug Bullard said. “Thanks to the loyal support of the many who make the tournament happen, especially Ace Cannon himself, we want see each tournament improve every year.”

Following the afternoon session on Saturday, Cannon performs to the delight of the players and many avid fans before the final round is played on Sunday. “Tuff” and “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” are but a few of the tunes expected to serenade the overflow crowd.

The golfers are sure to enjoy the camaraderie with a few days on the links. Near the tee box on the 3^rd hole, a memorial was erected not long ago in honor of Scarbrough. This day, it will be Scarbrough looking down, smiling and saying, “nice stroke, my friends, nice stroke.”