×

Lincicome puts on show at Sour Mash

VIENNA – Early morning rain showers couldn’t put a damper on what turned out to be a beautiful day Monday at the 45th annual Sour Mash Memorial at the Parkersburg Country Club.

In fact, it provided a likely lookahead to what LPGA golfer Brittany Lincicome could experience in two weeks at the women’s British Open. Lincicome, who has become a staple of the Sour Mash, made her ninth consecutive appearance at the tournament in front of an excited crowd.

“That is actually a very good point,” said Lincicome. “I am likely to see a lot of rainy and stormy weather when I head over to Europe in two weeks.”

She and husband Dewald Gouws put on their annual clinic of long driving and trick shots after the weather finally let up.

There were several driving displays by Gouws, who is a long drive competitor, which included driving golf balls through various objects.

Both husband and wife took turns sending drives through a three-quarter inch piece of wood before Gouws slammed a ball through the top half of a watermelon obliterating it in the attempt.

“We always tell people to stand back when we do the fruit trick because it can get a little messy,” said the golf entertainer.

Finishing off the clinic, Gouws got two volunteers from the audience to help him with his remaining tricks. The first volunteer bounced golf balls off a different piece of wood while Gouws tracked the ball and slammed it with his driver in midair. It took the trick shot artist one or two balls to get the feel for the bounce off the wood. He topped several balls before finally connecting on several blasts which ripped down the fairway easily clearing the left bunker on the first hole.

The second volunteer, Parkersburg Country Club golf pro Scott Davidson, was asked to hold a golf grip topped with a tee between his legs to give Gouws an elevated target. He then proceeded to drive the first hole all the way to the green with a powerful ping off the face of his club.

“I was so excited when the weather finally let up,” said Lincicome. “We had a lot of exciting tricks and displays to show the people who came out for the event today and luckily we got to perform them before everyone headed out on the course.”

Speaking of heading out onto the course, Lincicome paired with Davidson to compete in a friendly exhibition match with the foursome who was victorious in last year’s tournament. Greg Kelly, Bob Sadler, Tony Hapney and Dave Oxley teamed up to play a scramble format (best ball plays) to try and best the two professionals, who played best score wins the whole.

Needless to say, Lincicome and Davidson bested the quartet by the score of 64 to 71 on the par 73 hole and only lost one hole on the day.

Individually, Lincicome put together a good day with a 65 on the course.

“This is one of my favorite events to come to each year,” said the professional. “I enjoy the relaxed and laid back atmosphere and the chances to catch up with the friends I have made here through I think nine straight stops now. It is fun to play the course and not have to worry about outshooting anyone or what if I don’t hit this shot right or whatever could happen.”

Winning the opportunity to compete against Lincicome next year was the quartet of Dave Wesel, Eric Erb and Evan and Derrick Wetz, who shot a combined 123 during the two best ball format tournament.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today