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DeLoach recalls his 70 U.S. Open experience
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While the rest of residents in Warren County could only imagine the pressure 19-year-old local Brett Patterson faced when he played the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, Corker DeLoach could relate to the newest golf great from McMinnville.
DeLoach, 62, was the first Warren County resident to ever play the U.S. Open, taking part in the event in 1970 at Hazeltine Golf Course in Chaska, Minn.
Back then, DeLoach was a 21-year-old who had just finished his sophomore season at the University of Houston. DeLoach’s path to the Open, much like Patterson’s, involved taking part in a qualifying tournament. DeLoach recalled being one of six players to gain a spot in the U.S. Open out of a field of 100 players.
DeLoach was one of three amateurs to make the field in the tournament in Dallas. The other two were Ben Krenshaw and Tom Kite, who both went on to win PGA majors in their career.
Qualifying for the 1970 U.S. Open was a great treat for DeLoach. The tournament however wasn’t nearly as enjoyable. Playing in poor weather conditions, DeLoach shot 80 in his first round and ended the tournament by missing the cut. The weather was one thing DeLoach could vividly recall.
“The weather wasn’t so good. I went out and shot 80, which wasn’t so bad because the best round was a 72,” said DeLoach. “The next day the weather cleared up a little, but I missed the cut by a few strokes.”
England-born Tom Jacklin went on the win the 1970 U.S. Open, holding the distinction of being the last European to win the event until Graeme McDowell won in 2010.
Though the experience lasted only two days, DeLoach made memories he will never forget. One which stuck out was being the next-door neighbor of what would become one of the most famous golfers ever.
“I will never forget me and one of my Houston teammates were roommates at a hotel during the Open,” said DeLoach. “Our next-door neighbor at the hotel turned out to be Mason Rudolph.”
Rudolph went on to win five PGA tour events.
Following the Open, DeLoach returned to college, where he finished his final two years playing for the Cougars. After college, DeLoach tried for five years to make the PGA tour.
Though DeLoach never made it to the PGA, he did claim three tournament victories. His prize money never exceeded $5,000, but it was the competition he faced which stands out the most.
“The last pro tournament I won, we played a foursome the final day,” said DeLoach. “My playing partners were Calvin Peete, Bruce Lietzke and Don Pooley.
“Those were some big-time hitters back in the day. Calvin went on to play in the PGA and Bruce and Don still play some on the Senior Tour.”
Though health issues have kept DeLoach from competing on the course in the last few years, he still regularly keeps up with the game. DeLoach watched the U.S. Open, remarking how skilled the players have become over the years.
The fire of competitive golf has never left DeLoach though. Even 41 years after DeLoach made his debut at the U.S. Open, and eight years after picking up clubs and playing regularly, the game of golf still calls to him.
“I want to get back out there,” said DeLoach. “I’d like to play again.”

WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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One day after a close home win over Cumberland County Thursday night, the Warren County baseball team was back on the road for a weekend tournament slate. Taking part in the Viking Classic, the Pioneers went 2-2 across Friday and Saturday’s contests.

Kicking things off against Huntland at Tullahoma High School Friday evening, Warren County notched its third straight victory with a 4-3 decision over the Hornets.

Sam Robinson had three of the team’s eight hits. Ryder Gilispie followed with two. Tyler Adams, Jerren Harris and Keaton Rowe each added one hit.

Gilispie and Harris were both credited with one RBI each.

Adams, Robinson, Gilispie and Adrian Harris each scored one run.

On the mound, Miguel Garcia pitched four innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two hits, three runs and four walks. Keagan Thompson followed for two innings, striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers were held scoreless in an 8-0 shutout against the host Wildcats. Robinson had Warren County’s lone hit of the game.

Hayven Jones pitched 1.1 innings, recording one strikeout, four hits, seven runs and two walks. Jerren Harris came on for 2.2 innings, finishing with two hits, one run and four walks.

Back in action for day two of the tournament at Cascade High School, the Pioneers bounced back with a 9-8 win over the host Champions Saturday morning.

The team finished with nine hits, led by Adams and Robinson with two each. Gilispie, Jerren Harris, Adrian Harris, Woogs Bryan and Corban Felton all added one.

Bryan led the team in RBI with four of its eight. Gilispie, Felton, Jerren Harris and Brady Norris each brought in one.

Jaytton Baker went 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out five and coming off with eight hits and five runs. Lealon Arnold followed for 1.2 innings, striking out one and adding two hits and three runs. Gilispie pitched for one inning and recorded two strikeouts and one hit.

Closing out the weekend against Alabama’s Heritage Christian, Warren County came out on the losing end of a 14-6 contest. At the plate, Jerren Harris led the way with two of the team’s eight hits. Adams, Gilispie, Bryan, Felton, Adrian Harris and Evan Snapp all followed with one each.

The Pioneers posted four RBI, with two each for Adams and Snapp.

Snapp had two of the team’s six runs, with one each for Adams, Gilispie, Felton and Jones.

Braden Whinnery pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits, five runs and one walk. Rowe followed for 0.2 innings, adding four hits and five runs. Up next was Keagan Thompson, who went one inning and came off with five hits and four runs. Daylen Holguin wrapped up the day, striking out one and allowing one hit over 0.2 innings.

WCHS softball goes 1-3 through weekend

The Lady Pioneers got their Southern Warrior Classic schedule started with a game against Summertown Friday evening, a matchup in which they fell 10-1.

Warren County finished with six hits, with two each for Ky Damon, Lola Wells and Kaydence Wiser.

Wiser had a home run in the top of the fourth inning for the team’s lone run.

In the circle, Ceilee Gudat pitched 3.1 innings and finished with one strikeout, nine hits, 10 runs and two walks. Kyaira Sharpe followed for the game’s remainder, closing out the last 0.2 innings.

The Lady Pioneers were again bested in their second Friday night game, falling 10-2 to Moline (Ill.).

Wells led the Warren County hitting effort with two of the team’s six. Damon, Callie Roberts, Cortlyn Porter and Ali Young each added one.

Wells and Lily Rains had one run each.

Ruby Denning had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, 10 runs and three walks across all four innings.

The Lady Pioneers had better luck in their Saturday morning opener, flying ahead with an 11-run fifth inning to take down Illinois’s Oswego East 15-9.

Warren County racked up 12 hits over the course of the game, with two each for Rains, Wells, Sharpe, Porter and Addison Smith. This included home runs for both Wells and Smith. Damon and Young both added one hit each.

Smith led the Lady Pioneers in RBI with four of their 15, followed by Sharpe with three. Rains and Wells both had two RBI. Damon, Wiser, Porter and Young all tacked on one.

Sharpe pitched the first four innings and came out with 13 hits, nine runs and two walks. Denning added one hit across one inning.

Warren County was unable to duplicate this in their final game of the weekend later that afternoon, falling 3-2 to Stewarts Creek.

The team notched six hits, with two each for Rains and Porter. Damon and Wiser both added one hit.

Rains had the Lady Pioneers’ lone RBI.

On the rubber, Gudat pitched all five innings, striking out three and finishing the day with five hits, three runs and one walk.