Golf

Kelly High School junior Julian Mathews shined at the 26th annual Bart Granger Memorial Tournament at Fort Worth’s Pecan Valley Municipal Course. It is the largest high school golf tournament in America and Mathews was able to showcase his skills against 260 players across the country.

His remarkable achievements earned him the prestigious 2023 Babe Zaharias Underclassman of the Year award and carded a two-round score of 150, which tied him for 55th.

Next stop for Mathews and the Kelly Bulldogs will be the upcoming TAPPS Match Play Golf Showcase at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco on Oct. 2-3.

The 81st Beaumont City Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 21-22.

“We picked the middle of October since we typically have good weather and the chance of storms are over,” said Andy Hebert, director of golf at Henry Homberg Golf Course. “We’ve already had lots of interest in this year’s event.”

Hebert added it’s been a tough year for area courses due to the massive heat. “I don’t think it’s been this dry since the early 1990s,” he said. “I can even recall in 2000, it was so dry, but not like this. We were cutting the ponds, but this little amount of rain we received last week is nice to see.”

Entry fee is $60 for the 36-hole medal play, which is also flighted by handicap. Carts are available for $10. The city champion must be a permanent resident of Beaumont, but anyone can enter the competition. For more information, call (409) 842-3220.

Last year’s winner, Jordan Soper, is expected to defend his trophy. Austin Williams, who has earned the championship 10 times, is also expected to compete.

One must never forget the most famous and notable golfer from the area who won the tournament from 1971- 1973 – Bruce Lietzke – who went win on to win 13 PGA Tournaments as well as seven Champion Tours.