HENDERSON, NEB.—Twenty-seven golfers participated in the 20th annual Summer Thresher Golf Classic on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Galaway Creek Golf Course, Henderson. The 18-hole, four-person scramble tournament benefited Bethel College, North Newton, Kan.
At 11 under par with a score of 57, the first-place team consisted of Kellen Goertzen, Omaha, Clyde Goering, Moundridge, Kan., and Matt Hein, Newton, Kan. Hein, associate director of development at the college, co-hosted the tournament with Dave Linscheid, director of alumni relations.
Also at 11 under par but awarded second on a tie breaker were Brett Clow, Hutchinson, Kan., Beau Cox and Gabe Cox, Weskan, Kan., and Drew Rathbun, Chapman, Kan.
Third place went to Gary Steingard, Henderson, and Atlee Preheim, Dave Penner and Rick Penner of Hesston, Kan. The team was seven under par.
Four hole prizes were awarded. The drive by Spencer Friesen, Henderson, came closest to the pin on hole 3. Prizes for longest putt went to Adam Ewy, Hutchinson, Kan., on hole 9 and Goertzen on hole 6. Beau Cox had the longest drive on hole 4.
Members of the seven teams who competed plus additional alumni, their family members, and friends of the college from Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson, gathered for a barbecue lunch following the morning tournament. Alumni and other church members donated the food for the meal.
Financial contributions received from the tournament as well as the noon barbecue went to Bethel College through its Alumni Association.
A Golf Committee of the Bethel College Alumni Association plans two tournaments annually. The Fall Thresher Golf Classic will be held in Newton, Kan., on Sept. 14. Next year’s Summer Thresher Golf Classic will be Saturday, Aug. 2, again at Galaway Creek Golf Course.
“The Threshers†refers to Mennonite wheat farmers who helped found the college in 1887. Today it is the name given the college athletic teams and an identifier for alumni.
Bethel College is the only private, liberal arts college in Kansas listed in the 2013-14 Forbes.com analysis of top colleges and universities in the United States. The four-year liberal arts college is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. For more information, see www.bethelks.edu.
