They had to “work” overtime but the $750.00 payoff that Aston Cruse and Tayt Culpepper came away with made it all worth it. The task that paid so handsomely was winning the Championship Flight of annual Piney Shootout that was held at the Jackson Parish Golf Course this past Saturday, July 15th. 

With the unique, 27 hole format, already promising to be a strong test of endurance the winners had to go five extra holes for the victory after shooting a round of 10-under par 98 and finishing in a three way tie for first place.

The playoff started with Cruse / Culpepper and Tanner McDonald / Derrick Hardy making a birdie on the first extra hole. Brad Porter / Peyton Mitchell was eliminated after making a par relegating the team to a third place finish and the $200.00 payout. It was a birdie on the fifth playoff hole by Cruse / Culpepper that finally decided the outcome, forcing McDonald  / Hardy to accept second place which earned them $400.00 combined. 

The unique format of the the tournament played the first nine holes as a scramble, the second nine as a four ball and the third in shamble style. For those not familiar with the terminology…..
Scramble  – Each team member tees off and then each hits from the position of the best shot until the hole is completed.
4-Ball – Each team member plays their own ball until the hole is completed with the lowest score made being the score used.
Shamble – Each team member tees off and hits their next shot from the best drive  but plays their own ball from there until the hole is completed with the lowest score being used. 

The first flight was also determined by a playoff after three teams finished with a score of 3-under par, 105. Josh Stringer and Ray Walworth outlasted the teams of D.J. and Dwayne “Snook” Harrel who finished in second and Zac and Bobby Duck who grabbed third.

Hunter Wells and Cody Donaldson shot a 1 over par round of 109 to come away as winners of the second flight. The score was one better than the teams of Hunter Alexander / Cason Womack and Josh Smith / Michael Simonelli who finished second and third respectively after a playoff. 

2023 Piney Shootout Final Standings

Championship Flight
(1) Aston Cruse / Tayt Culpepper – 98 (won in five hole playoff)
(2) Tanner McDonald / Derrick Hardy – 98
(3) Brad Porter / Peyton Mitchell – 98

First Flight
(1) Ray Walsworth / Josh Stringer – 105 (won in playoff)
(2) Dwayne “Snook” Harrell / D.J. Harrell – 105
(3) Zac Duck / Bobby Duck – 105

Second Flight
(1) Hunter Wells / Cody Donaldson – 109
(2) Hunter Alexander / Cason Womack – 110
(3) Josh Smith / Michael Simonelli – 110