Players gather at the 2018 Neck Bone golf tournament banquet to celebrate their friendships and enjoy the comradery.
The Annual Pete Ball Memorial “Neck Bone Golf Tour” is an individual men and women stroke play golf tournament always draws an excited crowd for competitive play on some of the finest courses in Miami, Florida. The 39th Annual round of play took place on February 10-17, 2018 with a Snow Bird Open two-day tournament and awards banquet at the Golf Club Of Miami, on the East and West Courses, Colony West, Miccosukee. The annual event raises funds for a worthy cause and brings together friends who love the game for a fun day of competition and to upset defending 2017 champions. After all the scores were tallied, the 2018 award was presented to Champion Randy Newsome.
2018 Neck Bone Classic Champion Randy Newsome and his wife share the limelight.
The Neck Bone tournament generally attracts 100+ golfers from all over the USA, with some players arriving from as far as Washington State and Northern California.
2018 Winners:
- Champion: Randy Newsome
- “B” Flight Champion: Mark Garbutt
- Super Seniors Champion: LaMar Green
- Ladies Champion: Norma Williams
2017 Winners:
- Championship: Dr. Eric Brown
- B-Flight: Don Crenshaw
- Super Seniors: LaMar Green
- Ladies A: Janice Graham
- Ladies B: Jackie Whitaker
The host hotel Extended Stay America Blue Lagoon, near Miami airport, where hospitality was first-class, all the way. A ‘side-stitching’ joke telling contest followed the tournament and left attendees gasping for air, as each comedian passed along their amusing tails. Although no locker toom jokes were permitted, there was plenty of humor to go around for everyone!
Tournament director Tom Robinson (l) with Super Senior Champ, former NBA Star LaMar Green (r) and his wife Sandi, the women’s 2016 champion.
Contestants at the tournament vied for daily “Booby Prizes”, including the popular “Pot of Gold”, whereas each player that hits the green wins a part of the cash pot, a hole-in-one, 4 skin and rabbit pots. All of this, in addition to other cash prizes that were up for grabs. Players were also warned to be aware of “Sam’s hole”–a hole that is selected each day by original Neck Bone member Sam Jordan for golfers to win an individual or group cash prize!
2017 Women’s Champion Janice Graham (Chicago) was also The 2018 Rookie Of The Year. Tom Robinson (r).
The Neck Bone Staff is always one of the most best-dressed groups in attendance, and several cities even show up with their teams dressed alike. Ladies attend and are always a part of the tournament challenge and activities.
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Tournament Director Tom Robinson (Erie, PA) made certain that everyone had a fantastic time. The former physical education teacher and coach, 85-year old Robinson still works out and recently shot 79 on one of his rounds.
Neck Bone after-hours recreation satisfied all who in attendance and included Tyrone Moore’s Poker Game, a visit to South Beach, the Miccosukee, Magic City and the Hollywood Casinos, along with a trip to the enchanting community of Coconut Grove. After playing Colony West, golfers enjoyed a scrumptious “All The Fish You Can Eat”dinner on Wednesday night at Catfish Dewey, dining on farm-raised catfish, stone crab, gator tail bites, shrimp gumbo, collard greens, and other menu delights.
Tom Robinson (l) with his Minister of Finance, Roger Ball (son of the late Pete Ball, Neck Bone Tournament Founder who passed away in 1992).
Proceeds from the outing were donated to the Meharry Hospital Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center to help fight Sickle Cell Anemia. The 40th Annual Neck Bone Golf Tour is going to be a grand celebration and it will be held in Miami, Fla., Feb 11-15, 2019. Everyone is welcome to attend and all past Neck Bone Champions are especially invited. For more information, contact Tom Robinson at TRERRRTR2@aol.com or call him at 814-835-6901.
