Area sports digest 7/9/04

Spurgeon posts top score in junior tour stop

James Spurgeon's 74 led the way in Gateway PGA Southeast Missouri Junior Series action Wednesday at Hidden Trails in Dexter, Mo.

Spurgeon won the 16-18 boys division, which included three players who all posted scores better than 80. Josh Wheeler was second with a 75 and Tyler Holden was third with a 78.

Other winners Wednesday: Eric Hayes in the 10-11 boys 9-hole division; Chance Holden in the 12-13 boys 9-hole division; Mark Crews in the 14-15 boys 9-hole division; Trent Hillis in the 12-13 boys regular division; Sam Birk in the 14-15 boys regular division and Aaron Jackson in the 16-18 boys regular division.

Tour division winners other than Spurgeon were: Danner McCauley in the 14-15 boys; Lindsay Riffle in the 14-15 girls; and Megan Agey in the 16-18 girls.

The tour next plays Monday in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Arena Golf announces hiring of teaching pro

Christopher Schneider, a PGA teaching professional with 40 years of playing experience and five years of teaching experience, has been hired to the staff at Arena Golf, located on Hawthorne Road in Cape Girardeau.

Included in Schneider's golf experience is a year studying in Australia.

Mack finishes sixth in MARS event

Joey Mack of Benton, Mo., finished sixth in the feature race Sunday in the Mid America Racing Series event at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo.

He had won the first heat of the night.

Mack stands eighth in the points standings for the circuit, which next races July 16 at the Bolivar Speedway in Bolivar, Mo., and July 17 at the I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Mo.

Priest cards hole in one

Donny Priest of Cape Girardeau sank his second career hole in one Tuesday at Kimbeland Country Club. Priest used a sand wedge on the 110-yard hole. Clayton Eftink witnessed the shot.

-- From staff reports