The Red Bud Invitational has a long history of being one of the premier amateur golf events in the Chattanooga area.
But it is on the brink of becoming history.
Lew Oehmig shot a 6-under-par 65 in the 1967 version of the Red Bud at Valleybrook Golf Club. At its peak, more than 200 competitors packed the fairways, greens and clubhouse for a three-day event. Golfers used to drive their application to the pro shop the same day it arrived in their mailbox to ensure a spot against the best Chattanooga had to offer, as well as those who fought for the third-flight title every tournament.
“It was always a tournament that you just didn’t miss,” said University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Mark Guhne, who participated in it as an amateur. “It was one of those tournaments that everybody looked forward to because it was so much fun and it had the best fields.”
“Was” is the key word. Only 26 golfers signed up for the 2010 Red Bud last weekend. Average participation for the last five years is 47.
Nobody worked the scoreboard because there was no scoreboard. The gallery consisted of five golf carts as the leaders played the final hole. The spectators were golfers who had finished their rounds not long before.
The dreary weather Sunday added the depressing feeling that overwhelmed the property.
“I’m very disappointed,” said Gibby Gilbert II, a PGA Tour and Champions Tour veteran who runs the course with his son, Gibby III. “Today there will be no Red Bud (next year). Something may happen tomorrow. We’d love to do it, but we’re not going to do it with 25 golfers.
“I wish I could look in a crystal ball, but at this point it would be stupid to make a prediction.”
Neil Spitalny finished in a tie for second last weekend. He’s played in more than 20 Red Buds, including the 1997 version that had 161 participants ranging from area veterans King Oehmig and Zan Guerry to future pros Jeff Craig and Mike Miller.
“It’s depressing for the field to go from 200 to less than 30,” Spitalny said. “I think it’s emblematic of what’s going on at Valleybrook and the economy in general. People must not be interested in playing Valleybrook, but without knowing that it’s in pretty good shape.”
There are almost as many theories as to why the Red Bud has so few participants as there were actual golfers.
The tournament came one week after the Brainerd Invitational, so some wouldn’t want to play back-to-back weeks. The weather forecast was poor a week before the application deadline.
Valleybrook is not at its strongest this time of year. It’s a course where driver isn’t the play on every tee. Mid-handicappers know they can’t win and have little to play for.
Potential entrants’ personal schedules come into play, of course, and there are more tournaments available to golfers of all abilities.
The Chattanooga TPC series — which includes valuable points for Red Bud participants — has added the Cleveland Invitational, the CDGA Four-Ball Match Play and the City Four-Ball at Moccasin Bend in recent years. And for the first time, the North Georgia Invitational will be part of the series this year.
“I would not blame the Gilberts and Valleybrook at all if they decided not to have the Red Bud in 2011,” said Chattanooga TPC creator Mike Jenkins. “Valleybrook has always been one of the top clubs supporting amateur golf in Chattanooga. I would support their decision, either way, 100 percent.
“If there is a Red Bud in 2011, I will be there.”
At this point, that’s a very big if.
“I think it’s too early to make a decision,” Gilbert II said. “Right now, we have no plans. Things may get better and we may do something even better.”