Hamico could go broke – just a joke.
The foundation arm for Chattem Inc. has volunteered to donate $5 to The First Tee of Chattanooga for every birdie made during five Chattanooga TPC series golf events this year, including this weekend’s Brainerd Invitational.
Just one round into the first of the five tournaments, area golfers have bumped the fund to $1,175, not including matching donations any of them will make for their birdies.
“It’s fantastic,” said First Tee president Mike Jenkins, who made 16 pars and no birdies Saturday at Brainerd Golf Course. “We averaged more than two birdies per player, which is awesome when you think of the number of players who didn’t sink a single birdie.”
Tom Schreiner shot a 5-under-par 67 with seven birdies and a double bogey. Tied for second are Wes Gilliland, who shot 68 with eight birdies and an eagle – somewhat countered by a triple-bogey – and Mitch Hufstetler, who had two birdies and an eagle.