For the most part, Friday's Dave Couch Golf Tournament followed the same script from the previous 11 years.
Typical sellout. An array of prizes. Plenty of monetary support to go toward the research of fighting the battle otherwise known as ALS.
But the individual who meant so much to golf in the Mid-Ohio Valley was not around to witness another successful venture. This year's event felt the absence of Larry Martin. Not his spirit. Just his presence.
Martin died this past February at the age of 58.
"We lost a great committee member in Larry Martin, and he will be greatly missed," said Dave Cyrus, who serves as the committee chairman for the Dave Couch Golf Tournament. "He taught us well and we're going to take it and run with it. We will try to survive and go on."
The tournament committee didn't forget about their friend. Each golfer was given a divot replacer and poker chip which both displayed the moniker "Old Pro."
Just before the awards ceremony began in the Parkersburg Country Club banquet room, club professional Scott Davidson touched on Martin's impact and asked for a moment of silence.
When that tribute finished, someone yelled out "Here's to Larry."
"I think a lot of people are missing him," Blair Couch said. "During the ceremonies, his take on things was completely different than anybody else's and no one else could do what he did."
The purpose of the two events is to raise funds for the athletic facilities at both Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg South.
"Last year, we raised $4,500 for each organization - this year we are hoping for $7,000 for each," committee chairman Steve Hussey said. "It's been a great event and a successful fundraiser, which is our primary goal."
The two-day golf tournament brought in more than 40 participants with more than half of the field traveling from out of town from such locations as Charleston, Scott Depot, Beckley, Teays Valley, Barboursville and Morgantown. The state of Pennsylvania also was represented.
"We tripled our number of golfers from last year, and that's a sign that the format will work," Hussey said. "The two-man, best ball addition was key to attracting players this year because you get two tournaments at once."
Last year, The Greenbrier Resort owner Jim Justice was the featured guest at the banquet. This year, the event welcomed former West Virginia University quarterback Pat White.
"My biggest takeaway from this past weekend is that I think we should have had the banquet (following the first round)," Hussey said.
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com
