MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Golf Club hosted the ninth annual Duel in the Desert golf tournament Friday as golfers from throughout the Columbia Basin took to the fairways for the Grant County Economic Development Council’s (EDC) yearly fund-raiser.

More than 100 competitors and sponsors braved the scorching desert heat to participate in the tournament and the Party on the Green banquet following the competition, said EDC Manager of Communications and Research Jon Smith.

“Despite the heat, everyone had a really good time,” he said. “It went really well.”

The annual golf tournament has been held each of the past nine years as a means to raise funds for the EDC, Smith said.

“It’s our annual fund-raiser and it is our only fund-raiser of the year,” he said.

The EDC was formed in 1991 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to solving economic problems within the Grant County community, Smith said.

Golfers competed in four-person teams, beginning with a 10:30 a.m. shotgun start at the course.

The tournament was only available to sponsors of the event and Smith said local businesses helped make the 2009 Duel in the Desert golf tournament a success.

“The sponsors are the ones who make the event what it is,” he said. “When they sponsor a hole, they commit to being out there. We just hope everyone who sponsored had a good time.”

Skip Allred, Rob Hanson, Ron Heath, and Don Kersey of the Takata Corporation won the Duel in the Desert title with a score of 103.

Josh Blanchard, Isaac Eilers, Bob Kenner and Dustin Swartz of the Bud Clary, J & M Electric and Polhamus Heating and Air Conditioning team finished second with a 107. Roger Eydt, Niels Nelson, Mark Paterson, and Roy Riley of ABC rentals finished third with a team score of 110.

After the tournament ended, the EDC sponsored the Party on the Green banquet with dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions.

“Between the live and silent auctions we raised around another $6,000,” he said.

While the Duel in the Desert was a success — raising nearly $30,000 — Smith said the tournament wouldn’t have been without the sponsors and volunteers.

“We would like to thank all of the (sponsors and volunteers) for helping make this event a reality,” he said. 

Moses Lake Golf Club 2009 Duel in the Desert Golf Classic

Top 3 Teams

1) Takata Corporation, 103 (Skip Allred, Rob Hanson, Ron Heath, and Don Kersey); 2) Bud Clary, J & M Electric, and Polhamus Heating and Air Conditioning, 107 (Josh Blanchard, Isaac Eilers, Bob Kenner, and Dustin Swartz); 3) ABC Rentals, 110 (Roger Eudt, Niels Nelson, Mark Peterson, and Roy Riley).

Long Drive Competition

Hole No. 1 Men: Cameron Whittle, Walker Industries

Hole No. 1 Women: Kim Pope, Moses Lake Family Dentistry

Hole No. 15 Men: Isaac Eilers, J & M Electric

Hole No. 15 Women: Donna Goude, Lemaster Daniels

Closest to the Pin Competitions

Hole No. 6: Rolly Garza, Agri-Com App, 9 feet 10 inches.

Hole No. 8: Dustin Swartz, J & M Electric, 5 feet 2 inches.

Hole No. 11: Rob Hanson, Takata, 3 feet 2 inches.

Hole No. 14: Mark Peterson, ABC Rentals, 6 feet 1 inch.