The Red Bud isn’t looking so flowery.
Only 26 golfers entered the Red Bud Invitational set for today and Sunday at Valleybrook Golf Club.
“I don’t have any idea why,” head professional Gibby Gilbert III said. “I think it’s the people looking at the forecast, playing two weeks in a row, or people don’t have the money.”
The Red Bud used to be one of Chattanooga’s premier events for amateur golfers. At one point, more than 200 golfers played in it.
That’s a far cry from 26.
Tee times today9 a.m.-Butch Oaks, Bruce Russell, Jim Miller, Lonnie Craft. 9:10-Blake Davidson, David McKenna, Jimmy White, Wayne Woolfall. 9:20- Philip Spitalny, Neil Spitalny, Brandon Cissom. 9:30-Corey Evans, Jacob Clark, Zach Hester. 9:40 Adam Forgey, Matt Hadden, Tom Myers. 10-Heath Tarver, Gary Johnson, Chris Crowe. 10:10-Chris Mueller, Sean Reese, Bob Stimpson, Clayton Brown. 10:20-Jimmy Jones, Gary Baker, Mitch Hufstetler, John Lambert.
“This could be the last year,” Gilbert said. “We won’t do this again. It’s hard to shut down the course for just 26 players. I was expecting the 80 or so they had at Brainerd last weekend.
“Maybe the Red Bud has run its course.”
Defending champion Mitch Hufstetler is entered. So are Gary Baker and John Lambert, who finished second and third last year, proving that 50-year-olds still can whip the pups every now and then.
David McKenna has played in the Red Bud for about 30 years – his best guess – and said he’s thankful it’s around for at least this year.
“I might even finish in the top 25 this year,” McKenna said. “I don’t know what the deal is. It’s sad, though.”
Red Bud Invitational