By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

Heavy rainfall may have cooled things down for golfers playing in the Member-Guest Golf Tournament at the Selma Country Club Sunday, but it also hampered a good day of golf.

The winning teams of each flight were scheduled to play each other in a shootout round Sunday to decide an outright winner, but rain and thunderstorms forced competitors to call it a day after they played their final 18 holes.

“In between everyone finishing the round, the rain looked like it was about to start so they decided to hold off,” said Paul Garner, SCC member and former Auburn Tiger golfer. “We held off so long that when it finally started raining it rained so hard that it made the course unplayable.”

Because of the weather, this year’s title was split between three co-winners; Garner and John Burnham in the Arnold Palmer flight, Charlie Shoultz and Stevie Smitherman in the Tom Watson flight and Brennan Nedley and Scott Eggber in the Ben Hogan flight.

“Unfortunately, we tied for the victory,” Garner said.

“I’ve never played in the shootout before. I was really looking forward to it, but it just didn’t happen.”

Thirty teams pushed through the weekend’s scorching temperatures and Sunday’s tee times were changed from 1:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. so some golfers could beat the afternoon heat.

“It was very hot,” Garner said.

“We kept well hydrated and a cooler full of ice to stick my hand in every now and then. I would leave it there for a minute. It’s amazing how when it cools your hand it cools your whole body.”

Garner said him and his guest, John Burnham, were hunting for shady spots to park their golf cart in between shots and driving around the golf course just to feel the breeze at times.

“We had a good time,” Burnham said. “Besides it being really really hot, it was a fun tournament. The weather played a part in it, but it was fun either way.”

Garner and Burnham also won the nine hole par-3 tournament Friday after shooting seven-under.

“It’s just a good time around people you know and a light-hearted atmosphere,” Garner said. “It’s just fun. There’s a bunch of laughing involved because we’re just having a good time. Nobody’s job depends on it. Nobody’s future and family depend on it.”