SUBLETTE — It was a team effort for Shady Oaks who won the 97th annual Lincoln Highway Golf Tournament hosted by Deer Valley. 

Paced by Medalist and Best Against Bogey Cole Ruckman 1st Flight +27, Flight runner up Steve Hanson 2nd Flight +19 and Flight winner Matt Welty 6th flight +11, followed by TJ Mitchell 4th flight +9, Dave Kemp 3rd flight +7 and Clayton Kemp 5th flight +5. The Lincoln Highway is the longest running Amateur Golf Tournament in the nation.  The format is best against bogey, plus(+1), zero(0) or minus(-1), plus being good.

Up to 12 clubs in the Lincoln Highway area field a team of their best 6 players to compete for the Team Trophy.  This year 10 clubs where involved. Shady Oaks, Timber Creek, Kishwaukee, Sunset, Lost Nations, Emerald Hill, Deer Valley, Prairie View, Rock River, and Fairways. The tournament also recognizes the overall medalist (low score to par) and Flight winners and runner ups using the best against bogey format.  

The last time Shady Oaks held the title was back in 2006, of which they hosted their very first event.  

“It was an amazing weekend for the team of Shady Oaks” said Dave Kemp. “This event is what I like to call a real grind. We play 27 holes Saturday and Sunday, so keeping your head in the game is of the up most importance. Saturday’s temperatures with heat indexes over 100 degrees was a real challenge for everyone, but our boy’s prevailed and I couldn’t be more proud. Cole led us from the start and never looked back. He’s a very solid young player and is in the history books, of which I’m sure he will never forget. TJ’s combined score of 3 under par on Saturday had us all fired up for Sunday and proved to be the fire we needed. Having my son playing in his first Lincoln Highway and winning the team title was ‘icing on the cake’ for me.  Congratulations to Shady Oaks and Lincoln Highway Champions.  Golf in Amboy is alive and well.”   

Picture order, Left to right: Matt Welty, TJ Mitchell, Clayton Kemp, Cole Ruckman, Dave Kemp, Steve Hanson.

Photo submitted