Memories of a great Henryetta golfer were served up Saturday and Sunday as the annual Henryetta Cup tournament was held.
A field of 144 golfers played in the tournament held in memory of HHS state champion Jeff Lawrence. Funds from the tournament are used to provide scholarships to HHS golf team seniors. This year Emily Stockholm and James Brison received the scholarships.
After trailing in the first two rounds of play, the Henryetta team of J.W. VanDenBorn, Destney Gibson, Ryan Swallow, Sonny Johnson, Nick Flanary, Ryan Lane, Tyler Wieland, Brace Unruh, Morgan Brown, Dale Pendley, Kyle Clason and Rusty Wallace took home the top honors. They wound up with a 293 score for the 54 holes of play. That was well ahead of the Team Seminole with 269.5, Team Trosper with 259.5 and Team Cushing, 258.
They are named for the championship contests Lawrence won during his short career.
The son of Louis and Pam Lawrence captured back to back gold at state in 1993 and 1994. He narrowly lost a third honor after going into a tie at the end of the regulation play.
“He could do things I haven’t seen others do,” HHS golf coach Dutch Vandenborn said. “He had natural talent.” Even though he was left-handed, Lawrence played with his right.”
Lawrence received a scholarship to Northeastern State University after high school.
That career was cut short when he and Johnny Moore had left the golf course and were driving north on US 75. The car they were in went off the road and crashed, killing both of them.
“We established the Henryetta Cup as a way to give back to the community in his name,” Vandenborn said.
This year the club house patio featured a table that displayed some of the trophies and awards Lawrence won. His golf bag and shoes were also part of the display.
On hand to thank the tournament participants were his mother and sister.
