C.O. Shootout returns to Sisters Country

Some 330 golfers competed in the Eighth Annual Central Oregon Shootout this past weekend at Aspen Lakes, Black Butte Ranch and Eagle Crest Resort golf courses.

The shootout is one of the biggest amateur golf tournaments in the area each year.

"People have come from all over," Grant Cyrus, general manager of Aspen Lakes, said. "We have a two-woman team from Idaho, a foursome from Chicago, and a large group of 20 or more from Tillamook. Including spouses, over 400 people are in the area eating at our restaurants, buying gas and staying in our hotel rooms. Many people stay for the entire week."

The vast majority of participants come from out of town; only nine participants registered using a Sisters address.

The shootout was a three-day event, and had a prize pool of over $21,000 in merchandise which was paid out to the top third of the field. Golfers in six different divisions each paid an entry fee of $550 per two-person team, which paid for three rounds of tournament golf (green and cart fees at each course), continental breakfast and lunch each day, and the prize payouts.

The Big Meadow course at Black Butte Ranch hosted the players over the weekend. Tom Baker, PGA Golf Professional at BBR, was encouraged by the full field, including the largest groups of gross division and ladies golfers ever.

"The weather was perfect on Friday and Sunday, and Saturday was great too, even if a little chilly," he said.

At Aspen Lakes, playing conditions were excellent on Friday and Sunday, but a bit windy on Saturday. When asked about the course itself, local Aspen Lakes PGA Golf Professional Matt Phillips said "pin placements were medium difficulty. Par would be a good score today (in Saturday's wind). We want the players to shoot good scores. We want them to see good scores in the

paper."

Good scores were indeed posted over the weekend, with the lowest being a 63 on Friday, by the team of Joe Ebner of Everett, Washington and Jeff Eggen of Mesa, Arizona in the Gross Division (no handicap) on the Ridge Course at Eagle Crest. Ebner and Eggen went on to win their division.

Other winners included:

First Net Division: Kurt Snyder, Vancouver, Washington and Bert Sckerl, Portland.

Second Net Division: Gary Wright and Bill Cox of Eugene.

Third Net Division: Joe Perry of Terrebonne and Jay White, St. Helens.

Fourth Net Division: Rod Bird and Bob O'Neil from Portland.

Ladies' Division: Annette VanDaam, Vancouver, Washington and Karen Davis of Ridgefield, Washington.