News Herald Staff Reports

Rufus Ferrell, a 26-year-old F-15 crew chief at Tyndall Air Force Base, won the rain-shortened 13th annual Tyndall Invitational golf tournament on his home course Sunday, firing a 2-under par 70 over the 6,968-yard Pelican Point layout.

Finishing two shots back in second place was William Clemmons. Mike Davis, Billy Grant and Chris Johnson tied for third after matching 74s. Defending champion Marcus Beck was never a threat, ballooning to a front-nine 47 on his way to an 87.

Ferrell, a Chattanooga, Tenn., native who moved here three years ago, took advantage of ideal scoring conditions caused by the heavy rains that forced the cancellation of Saturday's scheduled first round, to at one point threaten the course record of 67.

He stood 6-under par through 13 holes, aided greatly by a 5-iron he holed out for an eagle two on the par-4 422-yard 13th, his eighth hole of the afternoon.

But he struggled home from there, bogeying the first and fourth holes and double bogeying the second.

``I let it get away,'' said Ferrell. ``I had hit my 3-wood off the tee all day and was hitting it good. When I got to (No.) one, we were into the wind so I figured I'd hit my driver. It was a mistake. I hooked it on one, two and three.''

Fortunately, Ferrell was running out of holes, as were his chief challengers. Clemmons was steady throughout his round and Davis, after suffering a double bogey on his first hole, hovered near even-par until he bogeyed his last two. Grant made the biggest charge, going 3-under midway through his round before losing momentum.

Beck's play was the biggest surprise. The former Florida State golfer had five 5s and two 6s on his card on the front side, putting an end to any thoughts he had of repeating.

``Just not a good day,'' he said.

Results on Stat Sheet, Page 2B.

Sailfish Invitational

The Panama City Swim Team, for the fourth consecutive year, won its own Sailfish Invitational tournament Sunday, outdueling Playground YMCA of Fort Walton Beach.

PCST amassed 513 points over the three-day event held at Panama City Swim and Tennis Club, 33{ points better than second-place Playground. ATAC from Tallahassee finished third (316) while MAC, also from Tallahassee, came in fourth (293.5). The Navy YMCA Seahawks from Pensacola finished a distant fifth (140.5).

Trophies for the highest individual points accumulated over the three days were awarded in each age class. PCST's Erin Sturgis won the girls' senior division while Spencer Gibson was the senior boys' runner-up, finishing in back of Clemson University swimmer Craig Becker.

Brian Jones was the other PCST member to excel individually, finishing second in the boys 13-14.

Results on Stat Sheet, Page 2B.

Dixie Pre-Majors

BASEBALL CITY -- Lynn Haven committed four errors that led to three unearned runs Sunday and dropped a 4-1 decision to Citrus County in the Dixie Pre-Majors State Baseball Tournament at @oardwalk and Baseball.

Each team had only five hits, but Lynn Haven starting pitcher Matt Taylor was victimized by a leaky defense that helped Citrus County take a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The losers, 39-11, scored their only run in the third when Kevin Loftin singled, stole second and tallied on Jason Barnes' single. Mike Emerson had two hits for Lynn Haven.

Lynn Haven will meet Okeechobee at 9 a.m. CDT today in a loser's bracket game. Only four teams remain, Citrus County meeting West Hernando today at noon.

Today's winners will play for the state championship on Tuesday. Erik Wave is expected to start for Lynn Haven against Okeechobee.

Post 66

NICEVILLE -- John Bush pitched a four-hitter as American Legion Post 66 eliminated Sneads Post 241, 3-1 Sunday in the Western Sub-district tournament.

Post 66 played again late Sunday, trying to advance to today's championship game against either Marianna or host Niceville.

Bush was in control throughout as Post 66 improved to 33-15. His teammates backed him with a three-run seventh inning to break a scoreless tie and provide the margin of victory.

``Bush pitched a smart ballgame,'' said Post 66 coach Bob Thayer. ``He walked just one and that was in the ninth.''

Post 66 broke through after two outs in the seventh. Bobby Baricak, who had walked and was sacrificed to second by Jimmy Walsh, scored on David McDaniel's single. Chris Lee walked and Greg Almond doubled off the fence for two runs.

Ray Glisson provided Sneads' scoring with a solo home run in the eighth inning.