Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 2, 2016 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM teed three rounds of golf, each participant receives a free practice round at the host golf course, food and refreshments all three days of the tournament provided by Healy Wholesale and Pepsi, the Pairings Party and a gift pack- age. All for an entry fee of $150. Contestants who register before Sept. first receive a certificate for a free foursome (excluding cart fee) at each of the five participating golf courses. Wilson couldn't be happier. He expects these changes not only to reinvigorate the loyal local competitors but to draw in a healthy crowd of new golfing participants as well. The staff at Cypress Lakes is excited and on point. Wilson promises the course is in great shape with the grounds well- groomed and ready for first-class golf- ing excitement come tournament day. "Our superinten- dent, Ed Drake, is in charge of keeping the course ready for play and he is really on top of the day-to- day maintenance and responsibilities that go into having the course ready for competitive play," said Wilson. "I just don't see anything but positives coming from the way we are doing things this year. We should be able take better care of the golfers, feed them better during the tournament and build up the golfing community here in Cumberland County. We even hope to be able to make a financial donation to a local Cumberland County char- ity at the end." Champions in the making Not only are the golf courses looking forward to a great golfing experience this fall, but the players are, too. Fayetteville native and businessman Gary Robinson holds the record for the most Cumberland County Golf Champion- ship titles with a total of eight victories. His first title was in 1982. "Of all the amateur tournaments I play, this one holds a special place for me," said Robinson. "People will stop you and talk with you about it. The com- munity is very supportive. I've been lucky enough to win it eight times so far. I hope to make it to 10 wins before I am done, but I'm 57 years old, so I am not sure it will happen." Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West, 42, is the tournament's second-biggest winner with six championship titles. West grew up admiring Robinson's skills on the course. "He has always been the Jack Nicklaus of the tournament to me," said West. "He set the standard. I looked up to him, and as I began to play in the tourna- ment, we developed a real friendship and camaraderie." West shares Robinson's dedication, enthusiasm and loyalty to the Cumberland County Golf Championship. "The Cumberland County Golf Championship is my favorite tournament. It is the most important and always has been for me because of the community support," said West. "I used to play a lot of state and national tournaments, and it was an honor when I would win, but when you win or compete in the Cumberland County Championship, you get stopped around town or at work or church and that is what made it special. It always had a unique place among golf tournaments here in town. There aren't a lot of places that have special tournaments like this one that mean that much. Some of my very good friends came out of this competition; in fact, they are some of my best friends. I am friends with their families and have been for a long time. I've been playing in this tournament for 25 years. That is a lot of time to get to know people." While the friendly Robinson/West rivalry is a given any time these two men are on a course together, it looks like this year things may be a little differ- ent. According to Robinson, he is committed to another tournament out of state and it is on the same weekend as the Cumberland County Championship. This news came as unfortunate and very disappointing to many in the golfing community. However, West knows that Robinson's absence doesn't make it a shoo-in for him to win. "Gary and I are very good friends and we are com- petitors, but I regret that he may not be there. I do think if he were there he probably would be the odds- on favorite to win. It does open the door to the rest of the field. It will definitely be different without him." Not one to get comfortable with his odds, West has been keeping his eye on some new emerging talent that very well may give him a run for his money. "Thomas Owen is a member at Highland Country Club where I play a lot. He is a great young man and a very good player," West said. "He won the last two Cumberland County match plays and placed in the top five of the Cumberland County Classic last year, and I think Cypress Lakes suits his game. We've played a lot together and he has been hard for me to beat. It is not unusual for him to hit the ball 30-40 yards past where I hit — and he has the rest of the game to go with it. He would be my favorite without Gary being there, but we all know how golf can go… and then there are the usual suspects." Here are a few things that are new in 2016: • Fort Bragg's Stryker Golf Course has been added to the rotation of partici- pating Golf Clubs. • Contestants can now register at any of the five participating golf courses: Cypress Lakes, Gates Four, Kings Grant, Baywood and Fort Bragg's Stryker Golf Course. • Only Cumberland County residents are eligible. No longer will the tourna- ment allow players who work inside the county but live outside the county to participate. • Early Registration Bonus: Contestants who register before Sept. 1 will each receive a certificate for one free round of golf for a foursome (excluding golf cart fee) at each of the five participating golf courses. • Each participating golf course will receive one free exemption to play in the tournament. • Businesses or organizations wishing to sponsor the tournament will also receive 1-4 exemptions depending on the sponsorship level. Sponsored and course exemptions must reside in Cumberland County. • Refreshments are provided courtesy of Healy Wholesale and Pepsi. • Food for contestants is provided all three days. • A pre-tournament Parings Party and Opening Ceremony plus plenty of prizes and surprises. To find out more about the tournament or to register, contact any of the participating golf courses, or call 391-3859. You may also register using the application form on page 11. Cypress Lakes Golf Course (above) is set to host this year's 48th Annual Cumberland County Golf Classic/Championship. Title Champions District Attorney Billy West 2010/2011, Fayetteville Business- man Gary Robinson 2015 and Dr. Chris Holland 2006. (right) STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor and JEFF THOMPSON, Senior News Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200