Reaves returns to SKCC
- Updated: July 9, 2016
Six-time SKCC champion returns as an emergency partner when Kevin Daugherty’s man takes ill
Kevin Daugherty (L) and Randy Reaves talk about the day after Reaves jumped in to serve as a relief partner when Brian Woodfin fell ill right before their scheduled tee time.
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD — When Randy Reaves retired from the Sunny King Charity Classic after the 2013 tournament he thought he was done playing in it unless something crazy happened.
“Well, something crazy happened,” Reaves said Saturday and he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Kevin Daugherty’s partner, Brian Woodfin, came down with a case of what was believed to be food poisoning shortly before their tee time in Saturday’s modified scramble round at Cider Ridge Golf Club and was transported from the facility by ambulance.
Reaves, the winningest player in Classic history, just happened to be on the grounds following his former SKCC partner, Gary Wigington, Ty Cole and the defending champion Chandlers when he learned of Daugherty’s trouble. He reached out and volunteered to help, if it were allowed.
They finally got together and after finding a convenient opening in the field embarked on their late adventure. Although he always travels with his golf gear, Reaves said he wasn’t in anywhere near Sunny King playing shape but was there for every step of 8-under-par 64 that kept the team in contention.
“I happened to be here, a one-day sub,” Reaves said after a round that was twice interrupted by weather delays. “I happened to be here when I found out about Brian. Now, am I in tournament shape? No. Was it fun? Yes, but as far as being able to help Kevin, I was just more or less the marker. I was basically just here to let him get a round in.
“It would be nice if I was ready to be playing in the Sunny King. It was fun, but I wasn’t near ready to play in the Sunny King. This was not me playing in the Sunny King. It was just, seriously, to help a friend out.”
Daugherty and Woodfin posted a 14-under-par 58 in their opening-round scramble at Silver Lakes and were three shots off the lead of Wigington and Ty Cole to start the day. They are now eighth, eight shots behind the leaders’ 30-under total.
Daugherty said Woodfin has every intention of playing in Sunday’s best-ball round at Anniston Country Club. In fact, not knowing the severity of the situation, Woodfin defiantly told bystanders as medics loaded him into the ambulance, “I’ll be back in a little while.”
A short time later he texted Daugherty a time for his return that day before eventually agreeing on the substitution. Daugherty said he would have played by himself Saturday if he knew Woodfin would have been well enough to return for Sunday.
Reaves was just happy to help and called the day Daugherty put together — which started with a dead battery in his car remote — nothing short of “amazing.” At one point on the front side, his back nine, the former Anniston CC pro made four straight birdies.
“He played his tail off,” Reaves said. “I don’t even think I made a par to help him, to be honest with you. We made pars and we made birdies, but as far as me making one that he didn’t make, I couldn’t recall one.”
Reaves won six SKCC titles, one with Jeff Russell and five with Wigington, the last coming in 2012. He finished second in their last King together.
Wigington said he was “tickled” when he learned his former partner was playing, if even in a relief role.
“He came out to follow around to watch us and then he ends up playing; I was excited for him,” Wigington said. “It was cool. I wasn’t glad what happened to Brian, but I was glad he could fill in for him … Maybe that’ll get him energized to play some more golf.”
And perhaps put the band back together again.
“Gary and I talked about it,” Reaves said. “I texted him after his round (Friday) when you get tired of winning and you want to play again we’ll play. We’ve talked about that from the beginning that eventually we’re going to come back and play again, but this was just something to help (Daugherty) out today.”
Daugherty wasn’t the only championship flight player in need of a substitute partner Saturday.
Jerry Irwin’s partner Don Maddox also fell ill overnight. Irwin went it alone in the round and shot 1-under 71 with two par-5 birdies. He hit two drives off every tee and in keeping with the tradition of the format played the best drive through the green. Most of the times the drives landed side-by-side.
“It was tough,” he said. “It just helps to have the extra guy. I didn’t want to lose any ground. I had a little bit of responsibility to take care of the score.”
Irwin, a local pastor, said it might be in the morning before he knew whether Maddox would be well enough to play Sunday. He said he was willing to go it alone at Anniston Country Club if his tee time allowed him to play.
Jerry Irwin sets up for a drive during Saturday’s round at Cider Ridge in the Sunny King Charity Classic. Irwin played the round alone as his partner took ill overnight. (Photo by B.J. Franklin/GungHo Photos)
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