Nelson golf tourney set for May 19

At Valley Club

Signups are being taken for the second annual James Nelson Memorial golf tournament fundraiser presented by the Wood River Baseball and Softball Association (WRBSA) in memory of longtime valley baseball supporter James Nelson, 42, who died March 19, 2011 at the age of 42.

Staged by the WRBSA for the eighth time and for the second year under the Nelson name, the Nelson Memorial will begin Saturday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at The Valley Club. Check-in takes place at noon.

Proceeds will benefit the WRBSA as well as the Zachary and Andrew Nelson College Fund. Format is scramble, teams of four, with prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and for the team with the best score.

The tournament field is limited to 22 teams and 88 players. There is no signup deadline but it's advisable to sign up as early as possible, according to co-organizer Buffy Brunker.

Cost is $150 per golfer or $560 per team, which includes a $10 per player discount for a full team. It includes 18 holes of golf, cart and appetizers. A no-host bar will be open after play. Nongolfers can join for appetizers and no-host bar for $15. Plans call for a raffle and silent auction items.

James Nelson was the youngest of five brothers in Ray and Marian Nelson's Hailey family. The family started the Ray Nelson Little League baseball tournament in the early 1970s and has helped run the July tournament for ages 9-12 up until the present day.

The Nelson family has been deeply involved in local baseball development at every level, from t-ball to American Legion.

To register for the Nelson golf tournament, call Buffy Brunker at 720-1998 or email wrbsa2010@gmail.com. Or call Val Seamons at 721-7413.

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