Love Nuke

Laci Sopeland likes to thank all the volunteers who contributed to the third annual Lorraine Cline Memorial Poker Ride a great success.

“A big thank you to the family Cline Ranch in the OC bar,” he said. “It’s been a great day for many wonderful people and their families. We hope you all come back next year.”

A record number 205 poker hands were sold, but Sopeland says the number who went along just for the ride was much larger because it included some 18-years-of-age and under entrants prohibited from purchasing hands.

All proceeds from the ride will benefit local cancer victims and their families.

The Poker winners were: first, Shannon Hounshell, Payson, $300 payout and she donated $100 back; second, Jeremy Wilson, Globe, $200 payout and he donated $100 back; third, Denise Bishop, Phoenix, $100 payout and she donated it all back.

Softball stats

The official statistics from the Lady Longhorns’ 3-2 state opening round loss to Santa Cruz are in and they show that freshman Devann Runzo turned in a sterling pitching performance, giving up just one base hit, a single.

Offensively, the Horns pounded out seven hits and were led by senior Rylee Halenar who was 2-for-4.

Kaitlyn Wessel slugged a triple, Natalie Black had two singles and Taylor Petersen and Runzo each singled.

Petersen and Black each drove in a run.

Golf continues at PGC

Jan Parsons is touting the fun, camaraderie and skill enhancement that beginning women golfers can enjoy during the “Drive, Wine and Dine” nights and also the healthy competition that traditionally highlights the Wednesday Businessmen’s Twilight golf play.

The Drive, Wine and Dine events, which are priced $15 for each night, will be held at 5 p.m., May 17 and May 24.

Parsons says the sessions are designed to “teach golf basics, practice what you learn, eat, drink and socialize.”

She says the sessions are also for ladies who want to learn to play golf as well as those who are beginning golfers.

The weekly businessmen’s twilight league plays at 5 p.m. each Wednesday at PGC.

The fee is $25, which includes nine holes of golf, prize money and dinner catered by Teri’s Good Stuff.

Little League golf benefit

Payson Little League is hosting its annual benefit golf tournament on May 21 at Payson Golf Course.

The four-man scramble tees off at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $65 per player and is tax deductible.

The fee includes 18 holes of play, cart, catered lunch, prizes and contests.

Among the contests will be closest to the pin, longest drive and a “Las Vegas hole” where players can wager on whether they can slap a tee shot into a pre-drawn circle.

Also, Little League is in need of whole, prize and team sponsors.

Tournament co-director Duane Kaufman said the program of the Little League local desperately dependent on the funds earned in the annual tournament and invites all golfers to submit in support of Rim Country adolescents.