This year’s Oconee Cup between Team Cross and Team McCleave was played once again over three days in stunning weather at Great Waters on The National and Richland golf courses.
All members of the teams played 18 holes of golf each day, and some of the prizes included: Tom Walker won the ‘putt-off” from a field of nine, all of whom had tied with scores of 7 in the chipping and putting competition. Steve Kley won closest to the pin on Day 1 at the National and on Day 2 on hole seven at the Richland course.
Some of the other winners who received prizes donated by Reynolds included: Dick Ginam and Todd Heil, who had the longest drive from hole three at Great Waters; Hugh Vail won the long drive at Great Waters on hole four; and for the third year in a row, the prize for a hole-in-one on hole eight at Great Waters was not claimed, although Carlton Curtis came close as his ball stopped just two inches from the hole!
There were also some spectacular rounds from Skip Flint, who shot 80, matching his age; Jerry Giesler shot 74, the lowest round; and Todd Heil, who is the second son to play in the event, shot 74, making his score less than his father’s.
Heil’s father, Bill, did not play this year, but both son and father's names are on the trophy, as they have been on one of the winning teams dating back to 1995.
The 2025 Clement Award winner was Ken Kopesky.
“This award is given to the person the players believe most represents the ideals of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the ideals exhibited by the event’s founder, Tom Clement,” said Steve Cross, now-retired Senior Team captain.
Kopesky was presented this award by Tom Clement, the son of the founder of the Oconee Cup. Tom has participated in the Oconee Cup for the past two years.
Prior to playing on Thursday morning, Sept. 11, a small remembrance ceremony was held at Great Waters to remember all those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The Oconee Cup came to an end Thursday evening with dinner and a reception in the dining room of Silver Moon.
The winner of the Oconee Cup was Team McCleave, which won, 18-13. Members of the winning team were Captain Bill McCleave, Gerry Giesler, Skip Flint, Gary Price, Edwin Bennett, Jim Jones, Tom Clement Jr., Bob Martin, Glenn Hunter, Don Zimmerman, Todd Heil, Tom Walker, Tim Joyner, Ben Exley, Hugh Vail, Steve Kley, and Ken Kopesky.