County Wide Insurance Agency Sponsors Ethan in Missouri Junior Golf Tournament
As a 2015 Trusted Choice Big “I” National Champion qualifier, Ethan Stevens will be representing our community in a large way at Dalhousie Country Club on June 29th and 30th. Ethan is sponsored by the County Wide Insurance Agency team, your local Trusted Choice Agency.
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The Trusted Choice® Big “I” National Championship is the nation’s largest junior stroke-play golf tournament and one of the premier junior golf events. The event, organized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (The Big “I”), attracts elite junior golfers from throughout the United States. Informally known as The Big "I", this event began in 1969 as a community service project devised by Independent Insurance Agents. Each year, more than 200 agents help organize and administer the qualifying tournaments that lead to the national finals. Independent agents donate valuable time, effort, and in many cases, personal resources to conduct successful local events. The goal of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is to provide the youth of America an affordable and challenging National Championship to assist their pursuits of earning academic and athletic opportunities for continued development. Each summer more than 2,000 junior boys and girls nationally vie to earn a place in the finals—a 72-hole, stroke-play tournament. More than 200 state and local qualifying events every year determine a field of 159 boys and girls for the National Championship. The Championship has proven to be a critical test for many of today’s golf professionals, with past participants including -
Boys: Jonathan Byrd, David Duval, Charles Howell III, David Gossett, Justin Leonard, Hunter Mahan, Will McKenzie, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na, Brett Quigley, Web Simpson, and Tiger Woods.
Girls: Kellee Booth, Candie Kung, Cristie Kerr, and Grace Park |
“County Wide is very excited about sponsoring Ethan for this years qualifying round of this National Tournament,” noted Jason Comfort. “The Missouri Trusted Choice Big “I” Championship is one of the premier junior events in the State of MO and offers an excellent opportunity to showcase a young player's talent in front of college coaches”.
Ethan comes from a long family heritage of athletes. He is a multi-sport athlete that certainly is a contender within every sport he participates, including visits to the State level in both high school wrestling and golf.
Comfort added, “Ethan Stevens is a great young man! He has a heart of a true Bearcat! Ethan has shown his competitive fire and resilience to adversity throughout his career underneath the Friday night lights, on the wrestling mats (All-State medalist), and on the golf course as he finished first in 2015 regional golf tournament earning him a trip to the State championship. Ethan is an extremely talented young man, but doesn’t let his talent stop him from busting his tail, working to improve"
“This tournament provides an excellent opportunity for junior golfers in SEMO area to get some outstanding exposure, close to home,” noted Comfort.
The Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship is the 3rd oldest junior golf event in the United States. Today’s best players at the LPGA and PGA TOUR level have all made their way through the Big “I”. Your community is represented by County Wide Insurance Agency as a Trusted Choice insurance agency offering a broad selection of Car Insurance, Homeowners and Renters Insurance, Life, Medical and Health Insurance, and Business Insurance policies. County Wide is an ambassador to their community by promoting, encouraging and sponsoring Ethan in his endeavors to advance his golf career.
The 2015 Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship is sponsors by Nationwide. Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company that offers a full range of insurance and financial services across the country, including car, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, farm , life and commercial insurance through your local County Wide Insurance office. Most importantly, Nationwide reports to you. Nationwide is made of members for member. And, they put their members first, because we don’t have shareholders. That’s how Nationwide started, how they operate today and what drives their “On Your Side” experience.
The Missouri qualifier tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club is sponsored by the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents, as well as local member agents such as County Wide Insurance Agency.
“We are very excited that Dalhousie Golf Club is hosting our event this year as it is on of the premier golf clubs in Missouri and in the country, said tournament organizer, Darrin Banner with Capstone Insurers in Bolivar Missouri.
“The staff at Dalhousie is fantastic and so great to work with and they are also huge supporters of junior golf. We always have a competitive field, the junior players seem to get better every year and we’re looking forward to another exciting tournament,” added Banner.
This year, the winners of the Missouri tournament will travel to Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchison, KS on August 3rd through the 6th. The ShowMe Times and it’s readers want to wish Ethan the best of luck in this tournament, as he represents our community in this prestigious golf tournament.
Colton is the son of Marty and Lynn Averett of Dexter.
"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."
"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year. He had a good spring for us and a good two years," stated Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard. "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that."
"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard. "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids. We are very pleased at what we are getting."
Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday. Both Colton and Jason Mattison signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Jason's article by clicking HERE.)
Colton Averett received the Dexter High School Batting Average Award. He had a .494 batting average entering District competition.
“He almost got to .500,” stated Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker. “I started looking back at the last 15 or so seasons and I haven’t had anyone reach .500 yet and he’s so close to it.”
The Dexter High School Most Valuable Player Award also went to Averett.
“This award is voted on by the players,” commented coach Becker. “Not only did he bat .494 he had 38 hits, 13 RBIs, was 15 of 16 on stolen bases and threw out 12 base runners as catcher. He’s had a great season for the Dexter Bearcats.”
"Coach Sheppard is a real nice guy," commented Averett. "He talked to us a few times and we went there and checked it out.""I think it will be good for both of us," continued Averett. "I have been catching for Jason and have been on the same teams since I was 8 or 9 years old. He trusts me back there and I know what he likes to throw."
When asked about his powerhouse hitting his senior year, he said, "I had a great senior season hitting. I have to remember to put down the bat and continue working and take nothing for granted."
Colton has decided to pursue a degree in Ag Business. His dad is a farmer and that he may try his hand at farming after college.
When asked about his most memorable times on the ball field, he said, "hitting that home run against Campbell and beating the undefeated Greenville team!"
Shown in the photo are Lynn Averett, Colton Averett, and Marty Averett. Back row are Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.
Jason is the son of Jason Sr. and Carrisa Mattison of Dexter.
"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."
He played for the Dexter Bearcats football team his freshman and senior year. he participated in Cross Country his junior year, Wrestling his sophomore and junior year and Baseball all four years of high school. He was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America.
"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year. He had a good spring for us and a good two years," commented Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard. "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that."
"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard. "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids. We are very pleased at what we are getting."
Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday. Both Jason Mattison and Colton Averett signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Colton's article by clicking HERE.)
“We are looking at Jason on the mound,” continued Sheppherd. “We let our pitchers play others spots and try them out, but most end up just being pitchers. Colton will be behind the plate catching for us.”
"It has been a dream of mine to play college baseball," Jason Mattison said. "And I get to go there with one of my best friends. It will be pretty cool! Colton and I have been playing ball for over 10 years together."Mattison pitched more than 63 innings for Dexter his senior season. He was 5-6 on the mound with a 2.64 ERA. Mattison also hit .338 with a team-high 16 RBIs and he had 7 doubles.
“We are in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and we just made a transition about three years ago up from Division 2 to Division 1 program and made it back into the Great Rivers Conference.” continued Coach Sheppard.
“We have always recruited real heavily into the Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky, the Paducah area and Southern Illinois area. It’s hot bed for us and a lot of access to some good players.”
Jason's most memorable game during his high school career was beating the undefeated Greenville during his senior year. He will persue a degree in Business Administration. Why did he choose that field, he said, "Because of my Dad!"The ShowMe Times and the community congratulate Jason on his accomplishments and his continued baseball career!
Shown in the photo are Carrisa Mattison, Jason Mattison, Jr. and Jason Mattison, Sr. Back row Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.
Charleston, Missouri – The field is ready for the Dinger Bat Fighting Squirrel Classic in Charleston.
The 12-team tournament begins on Friday and runs through Saturday at Hillhouse Park in Charleston and Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. Each team in this exciting wood bat tournament will play two games on Friday and two games on Saturday.
Teams competing are the Charleston Fighting Squirrels, Quincy Notre Dame, Southwest Central Baseball, Mayfield, Kentucky, Pemiscot County Legion, Riverbend Ducks, SEMO Pirates, St. Louis Sting-Miller, Sikeston Legion, St. Louis Sting-Larkin, St. Louis Stars, and the Missouri Rage.
The Dinger Bat Fighting Squirrel Classic is divided into four three-team pools. The team finishing first in each pool on Friday will compete in a four-team championship bracket on Saturday.
The team finishing second in each pool competes in a four-team Silver Bracket and the team finishing third in each pool competes in a four-team Bronze Bracket.
Admission to the tournament is $5.00.
Friday’s Schedule at Hillhouse Park in Charleston
Pool A: Charleston Fighting Squirrels, Quincy Notre Dame, Southwest Central
Pool B: Pemiscot County Legion, Riverbend Ducks, Mayfield
Pemiscot County Legion vs. Riverbend Ducks, 9 a.m.
Riverbend Ducks vs. Mayfield, Kentucky, 11 a.m.
Mayfield Kentucky vs. Pemiscot County Legion, 1 p.m.
Charleston Fighting Squirrels vs. Southwest Central, 3 p.m.
Southwest Central vs. Quincy, 5 p.m.
Charleston Fighting Squirrels vs. Quincy, 7 p.m.
Friday’s Schedule at Notre Dame in Cape Girardeau
Pool C: SEMO Pirates of Leopold, St. Louis Sting-Miller, Sikeston Legion
Pool D: St. Louis Sting-Larkin, St. Louis Stars, Missouri Rage
SEMO Pirates vs. St. Louis Sting-Miller, 9 a.m.
Sikeston Legion vs. SEMO Pirates, 11 a.m.
St. Louis Sting-Miller vs. Sikeston Legion, 1 p.m.
St. Louis Sting-Larkin vs. Missouri Rage, 3 p.m.
Missouri Rage vs. St. Louis Stars, 5 p.m.
St. Louis Stars vs. St. Louis Sting, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s Schedule
Championship Bracket
SEMIFINAL: No. 1 Pool A vs. No. 1 Pool B, 1 p.m. at Hillhouse Park
SEMIFINAL: No. 1 Pool C vs. No. 1 Pool D, 1 p.m. at Notre Dame
THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 5 p.m. at Hillhouse Park
CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 7 p.m. at Hillhouse Park
Silver Bracket
SEMIFINAL: No. 2 Pool A vs. No. 2 Pool B, 11 a.m. at Hillhouse Park
SEMIFINAL: No. 2 Pool C vs. No. 2 Pool D, 11 a.m. at Notre Dame
THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 5 p.m. at Notre Dame
CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 7 p.m. at Notre Dame
Bronze Bracket
SEMIFINAL: No. 3 Pool A vs. No. 3 Pool B, 9 a.m. at Hillhouse Park
SEMIFINAL: No. 3 Pool C vs. No. 3 Pool D, 9 a.m. at Notre Dame
THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 3 p.m. at Notre Dame
CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 3 p.m. at Hillhouse Park
Dexter, Missouri - The Rib City Girls Basketball Shootout featuring 50 teams is slated for Thursday, June 11th and Friday, June 12th. They will utilize three courts at the Bearcat Event Center, the middle school gym, high school gym, and Southwest Elementary gym.
The Lady Cats will play all of their games on court #2 of the Bearcat Event Center. Beginning at 10:30 they take the court against Dresden, TN and at 12:45 p.m. they compete against Peabody, TN. They play Benton, Illinois at 3:00 p.m. and Alton, Illinois at 5:15 p.m.
The JV Lady Cats will begin their morning on Court #2 of the Bearcat Event Center at 9:45 a.m., they play Dresden JV at 11:15 a.m., and they play a game against Greene County Tech of Paragould, Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. in the High School gym. They also play on Court #1 at 6:00 p.m. against Neelyville.
The Dexter middle school girls basketball team will play Kennett 7th grade on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. at the Southwest Elementary. They will then move over to the T.S. Hill Middle School for a game at 6:00 p.m. against East Poinsett County, Arkansas.
Thursday Schedule
Bearcat Event Center – Court 1
Puxico V vs Van Buren at 9:45 a.m.Bay V vs Clearwater V at 10:30 a.m.
East Poinsett County V vs Van Buren V at 11:15 a.m.Conway V vs Clearwater at Noon
Bay V vs Van Buren V at 12:45 p.m.Plato V vs Clearwater V at 1:30 p.m.
Puxico V vs Conway V at 2:15 p.m.Poplar Bluff V vs Bay V at 3:00 p.m.
Plato V vs Peabody V at 3:45 p.m.Puxico V vs East Carter County V at 4:30 p.m.
Twin Rivers V vs Van Buren V at 5:15 p.m.Dexter JV vs Neelyville JV at 6:00 p.m.
East Poinsett County V vs Plato V at 6:45 p.m.Neelyville JV vs Alton JV at 7:30 p.m.
East Poinsett County V vs Conway V at 8:15 p.m.
Bearcat Event Center - Court #2
Dexter JV vs Chaffee JV 9:45 a.m.
Dexter JV vs Dresden JV at 11:15 a.m.
Neelyville V vs Dresden V at Noon
Dexter V vs Peabody V at 12:45 p.m.
Benton V vs Sikeston V at 1:30 p.m.
Neelyville V vs Peabody V at 2:15 p.m.
Dexter V vs Benton V at 3:00 p.m.
Notre Dame V vs East Poinsett V at 3:45 p.m.
Benton V vs Neelyville V at 4:30 p.m.
Dexter V vs Alton V at 5:15 p.m.
Poplar Bluff V vs East Carter County V at 6:00 p.m.
Neelyville V vs Notre Dame V at 6:45 p.m.
Jackson V vs Van Buren V at 7:30 p.m.
Twin Rivers V vs Plato V at 8:15 p.m.
Bearcat Event Center - Court #3
For Complete Schedule click HERE.
