Scott Smith-Jay Waltson Win Swing Ding Golf Title

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jay Walston would ride on the back of his dad’s golf cart during Swing Ding weekend, watch the championship finals on Sundays and dream of one day winning the tournament red jacket, emblematic of a champion such as multiple winners Pat Corey, Jimmy Chapin, King Oehmig and Lex Tarumianz.

Fast forward to Sunday 2015 and Walston didn’t have to dream any longer with a 10-foot tournament-winning birdie putt on No.18 as he and teammate Scott Smith captured the Swing Ding championship flight, 1-up against Neil Spitalny-John Williams.

“Our win this weekend is the epitome of team match play golf,” said Walston who played golf at Baylor in the late 1990s. “If I was not playing well on a certain hole, then Scott would pick us up and vice versa.”

Qualifying for the championship fight with a 65 Friday, the Baylor alums defeated Jarvis Davenport-Ricky Johnson, 2-and-1 in the quarters and 2-and-1 against Winston Brown-Fletcher Thompson in the Sunday morning semis.

Spitalny-Williams defeated Pat McDonald-Whitfield McDonald, 2-and-1 in the other semifinal.

“We had three tight matches and had to stay focused each hole as we were never more than one or two up or down in any one match,” Walston stated.

Sunday Final

Spitalny’s par on No.2 gave the runners-up a 1-up lead early but Smith birdies on No.3-4 gave the eventual winners a 1-up advantage.

Williams-Spitalny won Nos. 6-7 with a birdie (Willams) and par (Spitalny) as they went 1-up.

Williams then bogeyed No.10 and the match stayed even until Walston two-putted for par on the tough No.16 to go 1-up with two to go.

But Williams evened the match as he drained a 15-footer for birdie on 17 and extra holes was a good possibility.

But Walston made sure it ended in regulation with his birdie on No.18.

“I knew it was in as soon as I putted the ball and it’s a great feeling to win this tournament,” Walston stated.

Smith grew up playing baseball in the Red Bank Dixie Youth program, then at Baylor School (’89), U. of Kentucky (’93) and four years of minor league ball before taking up golf.

“This is such a great tournament to win as it has such tremendous community support with socials at night and so many excellent golfers in the tournament," said Smith who was an assistant golf coach to the late King Oehmig at Baylor School for a few years shortly after his pro baseball career ended.

Life in the Minors: Smith played one year for the St. Paul (Minn.) Saints and teammates included major league stars Darryl Strayberry and Jack Morris who each have world series rings.

“Playing in St. Paul in 1996 was great as we won the league and to play part of the season with those two major leaguers was special.” said Smith.

“Our owners were Bill Murray (the actor) and Mike Veck, the son of legendary baseball promoter Bill Veck so there was never a dull moment with those two guys who made it fun to come to the ball park.”

Legendary Coaches: "I was fortunate to play Dixie Youth Baseball in Red Bank for Skipper Fairbanks and then at Baylor for Gene Etter," Smith stated.

"I absolutely loved playing for coach Etter and Skipper is one of the greats."'

Southern Hospitality: Kudos to the Lookout Mountain Golf Club staff who did their usual great job of hosting this well-respected member-guest event.

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net