Capt. Jack Pate led Team South in an overwhelming victory in the North v. South Challenge at the HSPA Foundation’s Golf Outing Sept. 25 at Southern Dunes Golf Course in Indianapolis.
The annual Foundation fundraiser moved to September as part of the HSPA Annual Conference.
For the third consecutive year, Team South took home the Freedom Cannon trophy – and this time in close to perfect fashion. In match play similar to Ryder Cup scoring, the South teams won 6 to 1.
Leading the charge for the South was Pate of the Evansville Courier & Press. North co-captains were Michael Christman of Fort Wayne Newspapers and B.J. Riley of the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) – due to a little gerrymandering.
The outing’s low gross foursome came from the South.
The Hoosier Times team of Pat Beane, Andy Kirchner, Mayer Maloney and Tim Smith finished with a 61 for first place. Maloney gladly accepted the four crisp $50 bills that go to the top finishers on behalf of his foursome.
Dave Eldridge from News Publishing Co. (Tell City); Chris Pruett of Rust Communications Indiana (Linton); and Dee and Deborah McLelland, event sponsors from NOW!Media, shot 62 for a close second.
Pat Lanman of Vevay Media Group and his three ringers – Doug Conner, Tanner Ross and Jared Wilson – gave the South a sweep by coming in third.
The South’s Ross also won both longest drive contests, while Beane and Rob Barnes (Corydon) sunk the longest putts of the day. Each accolade comes with $50 in prize money.
The South threesome of Chris Cosner and Jeff Rogers of Home News Enterprises and Mike Martoccia of Local Media Association won the antepenultimate award sponsored by Gannett Publishing Services, honoring the third-from-the-last team. They each received a bag of prizes.
Team captains already are scouting for next year’s North vs. South Challenge.
“It was total domination, but we are well aware the Yanks won’t take their third loss in a row lightly,” Capt. Pate said. “Recon missions show our Northern counterparts to be regrouping and preparing for next year’s challenge. Be that as it may, the South vows to retain the Freedom Cannon in perpetuity!”
North Capts. Christman and Riley pledged not to be discouraged.
“There’s always next year!” Riley said.
“The North isn’t done with this war yet,” Christman added.
