The 37th annual Pinto Bean Classic was cut short due to inclement weather on Sunday.
The event got off to a smooth start on Friday with Nate Jarvis winning the grip-and-rip contest with a drive of 362 yards, and the weather was perfect to begin play on Saturday as the 240-plus competitors took to Conquistador Golf Course.
Last year’s winner Shea Sena matched his opening round score from 2015, shooting a 69 to lead 2013 champion Chris Aiken by four strokes after 18 holes.
But on Sunday, scattered thunderstorms and lightning caused trouble.
Sena and Aiken’s group made it just four holes before having to retreat to the clubhouse to wait out the delay. And although the players were forced to sit and wait for nearly an hour, Sena said the layoff didn’t hinder his focus.
“It doesn’t really affect me much,” he explained. “We basically just go joke around with everybody in the shop and enjoy it.”
It was rainy, windy and brisk, and although play was halted – players were jovial. Congregating under the pro shop patio for cover, golfers weaved in and out of the crowd, greeting old friends.
“We’ve got players that have played with us for over 25-to-30 years out of our 37 years,” said Jack Tanner, one of the tournament’s creators. “So when they come back it’s just like a family reunion of Pinto Bean golf players.”
After nearly an hour, the weather calmed and players hopped back into their carts and rushed back onto the course. But with more lightning and rain sweeping in just after 7:00 p.m., the tournament was finally cut short.
Sena, Aiken and the other championship flight players had finished nine holes on the day, so they were scored over a total of 27 holes.
With a 69 after 18 holes, Sena shot a 37 in nine holes on Sunday to win the tournament with a score of 106. Aiken, who trailed by four strokes after day one, shot a 39 over nine on Sunday to finish second with a 112, and Bill Murphy finished third with a score of 113.
All other flights were scored over 18 holes from Saturday, because the field was so spread out on Sunday.
L.J. Workman won the first flight, Sonny Wells was first in the second flight, Erickson Honie took the third flight and Wayne Claw won the fourth flight. Another highlight was Leroy Flynn’s hole-in-one on hole No. 16 on Sunday.
Sena said that last year’s Pinto Bean victory was special because it was his first win after coming up short in previous tournaments. It was his getting-over-the-hump moment. But the repeat was special too, he said.
“If one has to be more special it would probably be last year, but this one is definitely special, too,” he said. “This tournament is one of a kind. I’ve played in a number of tournaments and there’s nothing like this one, so it’s still very special.”
