The 2008 Benton Gold Cup kicks off with the Pro-Am Tournament on Friday, with the Men’s Gold Cup Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s Gold Cup has an especially tough field, according to Benton Country Club Pro Shop manager Mark Dyel.
“It’s loaded,” he said. “We have nine former champions, seven of the Top 10 points leaders from the SIGA, and we have several college players.”
Former champions in this year’s Gold Cup are: Last year’s winner Eli Sentel, Scott Simpson, Larry Giacone, Jim Giacone, Jeff Shurtz, Max McDonald, Tom Portner, Andy Woods, and Chris Winemiller.
There are are also four pros that are playing in Friday’s Pro-Am that won the Cup as amateurs. Steve Heckel, Jan Jansco, Mark Faulkner and Doug Dunbar are all former champions.
2008 SIGA Champion Bryan Warren, Senior Gold Cup winner Joe Davidson and Illinois Amateur qualifier Murphy Hart will also be playing.
There are 111 players entered in the tournament.
Five players from Rend Lake College will play in the tourney. Sentel, Jeremy Fleetwood, Jared Harp, Tanner Spicuzza and Ryan Keller are all members of the Warriors golf team. Bryson Potts, who just signed with Fontbonne University, will play, as will McKendree’s Jordan Schwankhaus, University of Illinois player Mason Jacobs, and Nate Sanders and John Michael Coles of SIU-Edwardsville.
While the Gold Cup format is stroke play, the Pro-Am is a special format, according to Dyel.
“A professional will play with three amateurs and the team score will equal the two best scores on each hole,” Dyel said. “When it’s all said and done we will have between 20 and 25 teams. And we have two guys — Justin Fetcho and Kyle Hosick — that are coming off the Hooters Tour to play in the Pro-Am.”
Dyel said the Gold Cup is a huge event for the country club.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s the highlight of the summer,” he said. “The Club members take a lot of pride in the Gold Cup and we feel like it is the best tournament in Southern Illinois. We get 120 golfers every year to play a tournament on a 9-hole golf course ... that speaks well for the reputation of the Club.”
Fans are welcome to follow the action at the tournament, Dyel said.
“Fans can come out and follow the action or watch the players come in on No.18,” he said. “We will have food and drink avail
Benton, Ill. —
