Lowry, Locklear go back-to-back in shortened Kiwanis tourney

LUMBERTON — In a lot of ways the 47th annual Kiwanis All-American Golf Tournament wasn’t quite like other tournaments in recent years, including weather concerns leading up to and during the tournament that ultimately affected the final round.

But one detail remained the same: the victors.

Landon Lowry and Ian Locklear won the tournament for the second straight year, becoming the seventh team of players to go back-to-back in the event. They did so as both the championship and first flights were shortened to 27 holes due to an afternoon rain storm on Sunday.

“That’s pretty cool, especially to do it with Ian,” Lowry said. “We’ve known each other since we were born basically, good friends, play a lot of golf together. To join that group of golfers (to win two straight), and then to say I did it with one of my good friends, that’s pretty cool.”

Locklear/Lowry shot 63 on Saturday before a front-nine 32 on Sunday, finishing with a total score of 95. Ryan Bass and Mike Chuchacz finished second after 66 and 31, two strokes behind. Steve Pippin and Will Morgan were the first-round leaders after a 62 before shooting 36 for Sunday’s nine holes to finish three strokes back with a score of 98, winning scorecard playoff for third over William Carter/Burns McBride (63-35) and Jeff Wishart/Mark Kinlaw (68-30).

Strong starts in both the Saturday and Sunday rounds were key to the Lowry/Locklear team’s success. The duo birdied holes 3, 4, 5 and 6 on Saturday, then made birdie on 2, 4, 5 and 6 on Sunday.

“Getting off to a hot start like that was a key to our success,” Locklear said. “I feel like if we would’ve got to play the back nine we would’ve won by a few more strokes. Landon held us together on that front nine, I ain’t going to lie.”

Locklear and Lowry were told they were leading the tournament as they made the turn to the back nine Sunday with dark clouds looming over Pinecrest Country Club. They reached the 13th tee before the skies opened with a downpour that ended the event, with scores reverting to the 27-hole mark.

“When it started drizzling you could just tell, and then as soon as it started drizzling it started pouring within the next 10 minutes, so we knew pretty quick we weren’t going to finish,” Lowry said.

Locklear and Lowry teamed up for the Kiwanis tournament last year after close friend Timmie Stultz died unexpectedly weeks before the tournament. They’ve now won both appearances since.

“Me and Landon, we had our first attempt at this tournament in 2015 and we played so freaking awful; it was demoralizing and we were convinced this tournament wasn’t for us,” Locklear said. “After last year, Timmie (Stultz) passed, and it put a fire in us I guess, and we’re here to stay. We’re going for three next year.”

The tournament had raised over $54,000 for the Kiwanis Club of Robeson-Lumberton as of Monday. Tournament proceeds help to fund the Kiwanis Club’s local youth programs, which include the Exceptional Children’s Christmas Social, ADA Park, Mac Starke Clothing Closet, Read Across Robeson, the Terrific Kid program, multi-level scholarships at UNC Pembroke and Robeson Community College, Lumberton High School Key Club, Early College Key Club at RCC, UNCP Circle K, Take a Kid to a Game and Communities and Schools Backpack Pals. Funds also help the club support its satellite group, the Young Professionals.

“This weekend was not just about a round of golf, but the community coming together to raise money to support programs for children,” said tournament chair Erika Nolley. “I feel that the 47th annual (Kiwanis All-American) Golf Tournament has been a great success. (As of Monday) we have raised over $54,000, and currently still have funds coming in.”

“That’s always first and foremost is the money it raises, and what it does for the kids in Robeson County,” Lowry said. “The golf comes second, what they do for the kids is the most important part. I’m just glad that we can contribute to that.”

The ADA-compliant inclusive playground project currently under construction at the Dr. Raymond B. Pennington Athletic Complex, a project to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary, is of particular focus this year for the Kiwanians.

“That’s just unheard of, and it’s just good to be involved with something like that that’s just amazing,” Locklear said. “Bruce (Mullis) was in tears talking about that thing — that about sums it up.”

The tournament saw 39 teams compete, along with numerous sponsors and vendors who contributed to both the tournament’s smooth operations and its fundraising objectives. Vendors who provided items for the tournament included: Healy Wholesale Co. Inc., Arnolds, Chick-Fil-A, Reddy Ice, City of Lumberton, Pepsi, US Foods, Commercial Piping & Fabricating, Finish One Industrial Flooring, McDonalds, Burger King, UNCP, Tomlinson’s, Flowers by Billy and Wilson Custom Golf Carts & Storage Buildings.

Diamond sponsors included: Precise Piping, Watts Water/Mueller Steam Plant, Robeson Pediatrics, Allen Orthopedics, Pratt Industries, County Commissioner Tom Taylor and LPL Financial-Chip Pate. Platinum sponsors included: Playworld Preferred Inc., Commercial Piping & Fabricating, the City of Lumberton, Health Keeperz and Scrubby’s Car Wash LLC.

“On behalf of Kiwanis of Robeson-Lumberton, I would like to thank the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and golfers,” Nolley said. “We are so grateful for each of you. Your support has been instrumental in making the 47th annual (Kiwanis All-American) Golf Tournament a success.”

In addition to just missing a top-three finish overall, Wishart/Kinlaw won the first flight. Other flight winners included: Pete Maynor/Marty Hunt in the second flight, Ben Collins/Edmund Locklear in the third flight, Aaron Hunt and Shawn Hunt in the fourth flight and Tom Sampson/David Lowery Sr. in the fifth flight.

Jay Clark made a double eagle on the par-5 sixth hole during the first round of the tournament on Saturday.