Wrangell Sentinel -

Lovers of golf in Southeast Alaska came out in a big way as Wrangell’s Fourth of July events kicked off last weekend at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course.

A total of 27 golfers took part in the Ottesen’s True Value 4-person “best ball” tournament that began on Saturday – and saw store manager Ernie Christian’s team of himself Faye Kohrt and Eric Kading take the top spot in competition with a net 18 score on a 14-shot handicap.

Christian said being able to host the tournament on the opening day of Fourth of July activities was an honor for his business.

“It’s always great when we can kick off the Fourth of July and Ottesen’s has usually sponsored this tournament the weekend before the holiday,” Christian said. “We’ve been doing it for eight years, so it’s great because it keeps people in town to play and we love to support Muskeg Meadows.”

Greg Knight

Ernie Christian takes his best shot off No. 1 during the Ottesen’s Fourth of July kickoff tournament at Muskeg Meadows. Christian’s team won the first day of the competition.

The team of Sean Richardson, Gwenna Richardson, Ray Pederson and George Woodbury took second place on Saturday with net 21 final on a handicap of 11. The quartet of Jim Abbott, Betty Abbott, Arnie Sandness and Grant Thompson took the No. 3 spot with a 21 net score on a 15-shot handicap.

Kading took the straightest drive on Friday at 29 inches, with John Morse making it closest to the pin at 7-feet-6-inches.

On Sunday, 29 players came out as the tournament shifted to a “mystery scramble” format, with Mike Hay, Joel Peterman and Kading taking the top spot. Brian Smith took the straightest drive distinction with a 2.5-inch shot, while Woodbury made it closest to the pin at 24-feet-11-inches.

Golfer Randy Littleton took home the grand prize drawing of a new Weber BBQ grill. The “Red Lantern” high score award went to Hal Rhodes at 91, while Keborah Boger took the lowest score at 42.