By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Ian Baker-Finch was forced to do Monday what he spends his time talking about not doing.
Baker-Finch,winner of the 1991 British Open and a member of ABC Sports' golf broadcast team, was in Forrest City Monday at the sixth annual Forrest City Grocery Charity Golf Tournament played at the Forrest City Country Club.
Thirty-five teams played the 18-hole tournament and helped raise $275,000 for the Forrest City Education Foundation.
"The amount raised exceeds what we raised last year and the number of teams entered were up from last year," said Danny Tate, special events coordinator for the tournament. "The majority of the money raised will benefit the Education Foundation as well as other charities."
The team of Donnie Guthrie, Bubba Lindsey, Jay Lindsey and Ray Daniels, fired a 15-under 56 round to win the tournament.
Before the teams began play, Baker-Finch spent time talking to the gallery of fans and demonstrating different grips, stances and techniques, all designed to help improve one's game of golf. He stressed the importance of slowing down before hitting the fairways and the importance of proper warm-up techniques.
"Take your time, slow down, we always seem to be in a hurry every day and even when we come to the golf course, we are always in a hurry to get the game started," Baker-Finch said. "Slow down, take your time. Give your body and your mind a chance to adjust by using proper warm-ups. Swing several clubs at once, much like a baseball player will swing a weighted bat in the on-deck circle. You will be amazed how much this will help."
Normally, Baker-Finch said his presentations take about an hour. Due to Monday's time restraints, he rushed through it in about 15 minutes.
Baker-Finch was making his first visit to the tournament, which over the years has attracted many sports legends. University of Memphis Basketball Coach John Calipari returned for this year's event and was on hand with Baker-Finch on Monday.
Baker-Finch turned pro in 1979 and won the first of his 16 championships in 1983 at the New Zealand Open in Auckland.
His first major victory in Australia came at the 1987 Australian Matchplay Championship at Kingston Heath. He has won on all four major tours, including the 1988 Australian Masters, the 1989 Colonial Invitational (USA) and the 1993 Australian PGA. He capped his boyhood dreams in 1991 when he won the British Open at Royal Birkdale.
At 42, Baker-Finch says he plays ocassionally, but not competitively.
"I would be kidding myself if I thought I could go out and win against golfers like Tiger or Sergio or Phil or David (Duval)," Baker-Finch said. "Those guys are the elite of the profession right now. I am looking forward to joining the seniors tour. I have eight years to wait until I can do that."
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The Minor League (pitching machine) completed its regular season on Monday when Ben's Auto won for the third straight time and M&T Paving rolled past Lion's Club.
Ben's defeated Easley Law 19-4 Monday to finish the season at 4-10.
The team won last Friday and last Wednesday as well.
James Alldredge and Ryan Hawkins scored four runs each Monday for Ben's while Austin Kennedy added three runs and Tanner Henley, Darrien Green and Karlton Lawrence scored twice. Cole Bieber and Matt Lansford scored single runs.
Green homered for the winners.
Easley scored three of their four runs in the first inning when John Gilbreath and Antonio Sanders each scored.
M&T 27, Lion's Club 11
M&T paving finished the year at 5-9 Monday, taking down Lion's Club 27-11.
Corey Robichaud scored five times to lead M&T, belting five singles.
Matthew Vaughn and Scott Gracey scored three runs each.
Lion's Club got three runs from Jordan Chatters and single runs from Kye Tillman, Ethan Mathes, Jacob Tittle, Marcus Scott, Dow Williams, Cody Rice and Luke Conner.
Robichaud homered to lead off the game.
The seven and eight-year-old state pitching machine tournament will be held at Kevin McReynolds Sports Complex in Sherwood again this year, beginning July 11.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Barnes Timber stayed unbeaten Monday with a 14-4 win over Miller Insurance in adult men's softball league play at the Sports Complex.
Barnes moves to 11-0 for the year.
Sanyo, who lost for the first time of the year last Thursday, got back on the winning track with a 21-1 win over Food Giant to remain in second place at 10-1.
M&T Paving stayed in third with a 10-2 mark Monday by downing Morgan 20-11 and Kerby's took sole possession of fourth place in the league with a 15-13 win over the Young Guns. Kerby's improves to 9-3 for the year.
The Bulldogs slipped from a fourth place tie into fifth place after losing to Boar's Head 8-5.
TSM Computers picked up their second win of the year Monday, defeating Greg's 27-19.
League play will continue Thursday night.
The adult men's district tournament will be played at the Forrest City Sports Complex, July 19-20.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Perkin's Premolars edged Sonic 18-17 Monday night in the postseason T-Ball Tournament to advance to tonight's winner's bracket quarterfinal game against Dr. Cartillar.
Cartillar defeated Farm Bureau 17-7 Monday to set up tonight's 8 p.m. game.
Tonight's other quarterfinal game will match National Carpet One against Giffin's Grins at 9 p.m.
National Carpet downed Long Real Estate 17-13 while Giffin's got past First National 27-23.
The two quarterfinal winners will return Thursday in the winner's semifinal.
Tonight's loser's bracket games, allbeginning at 6 p.m., have First National taking on Parker, Long going against edwin houston, Farm Bureau battling M&T Paving and Sonic taking on Gadberry's.
The four winner's will return at 8 p.m., tonight for a second game, with those winners coming back Thursday.
Forrest City held its Mustang/Lady Mustang Basketball Camp last week for junior high school boys and girls. Both Mustang Basketball Coach Dwight Lofton and Lady Mustang Coach Sue Jayroe said overall numbers were down this year but called the camp a "success" and said all of the campers "had fun and will benefit next season."
Jayroe handed out several camp awards. T.T. Lucas won the one-on-one competition, Amber Williams won the free throw shooting competition while Jazzalyn Rodgers took home the Hot Shot award. Chari Agnew won the three-point shootout and the team of Agnew, Marsha James and Lucas won the three-on-three competition. The team of Britney Scott, Deosha and Chari Agnew, Lucas and Williams won the five-on-five award. Scott was named the Most Improved Camper while Elaina Patton was given the defensive hustle award and James took the offensive hustle award as well as being named the All-Around Camper. Jasmine Phillips was named best at blocking out defensively.
* CITY LEAGUES
YOUTH BASEBALL
T-Ball Post Season Tournament
Monday's Scores
Parker 1, Broadway Cinema 0 (forfeit)
edwin houston 17, Western Auto 16
M&T Paving 1, Hunton 0 (forfeit)
Gadberry's 29, H&H 18
Perkins 18, Sonic 17
Dr. Cartillar 17, Farm Bureau 7
National Carpet 17, Long 13
Giffin's Grins 25, First National Bank 23
Tuesday, June 25
Winner's Bracket
Perkins vs Dr. Cartillar, 8 p.m.
National Carpet vs Giffin's Grins, 9 p.m.
Loser's Bracket
First National vs Parker, 6 p.m.
Long vs edwin houston, 6 p.m.
Farm Bureau vs M&T Paving, 6 p.m.
Sonic vs Gadberry's, 6 p.m.
Minor League (Pitching Machine)
Monday's Scores
Ben's Auto 19, Easley Law 4
M&T Paving 27, Lion's Club 11
(End regular Season)
Junior Bambino League (9-10)
Tuesday, June 25
Sanyo vs Farm Credit, 6 p.m. F5
Title Co. vs Food Giant, 6 p.m. F6
Hill Concrete vs A&C Motors, 7:15 p.m.
Mr. T Auto vs Lucas Trucking, 7:15 p.m. F6
GIRLS SOFTBALL
10-Under League (Slow Pitch)
Tuesday, June 25
So. Furniture vs Title Co., 7 p.m. F1
Walker Ins. vs Food Giant, 7 p.m. F2
Sanyo vs McDonald's, 7 p.m. F3
FCity Bank vs Dr. Schwartz, 7 p.m. F4
True Value vs Steven's, 8 p.m. F2