Jimmy Reist
Cullman Times photo
DECATUR, Alabama (July 4, 2015) -- In a tournament field filled mostly with college players, Jimmy Reist is proving that age is just a number.
After two rounds of the rain-shortened Spirit of America Classic, Reist, 52, is tied for the lead with Delta State golfer Reid Lindsey (from Ripley, Mississippi) at 3-under 139.
As a member of Burningtree, Reist is trying to become the first Morgan County resident to win the Spirit.
“Just coming out here and being in the hunt is a lot of fun,” he told the Decatur Daily. “Winning this thing would mean a lot.”
Reist, who started on the back nine, played in a steady rain for his first seven holes, and could have been lower had it not been for a double-bogey on the 1st hole (his 10th).
Things are going pretty well for another member of the Reist family -- Jimmy’s son Garrett has a four-shot lead in the junior division going into the final round.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
DECATUR, Alabama (July 3, 2015) -- Heavy rain and lightening in Northern Alabama caused Friday's play to be cancelled at the Spirit of America Classic.
The tournament is being conducted at Burningtree Country Club. Defending champion John-Michael O'Toole posted a first round 69 on Thursday and looks to be in good shape to contend for the title again this year. A recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, O'Toole is playing as an individual this year.
He's joined by 7 other players that posted par or better. Tied with O'Toole at 69 are Bryce Howard (representing Henderson State), Taylor Eyster, and Jimmy Reist.
ABOUT THE Spirit of America
The Spirit of America Golf Classic is Burningtree
Country Club's long-running, fundraising
tournament
held annually in conjunction with
Decatur’s Spirit of America Festival, which itself is
one
of the largest, free Fourth of July festivals in the
south. Established in 1967, this unique "college
team
and
individual" format event has been
home to collegiate players and top amateur
players
from across the nation. The format is 72-holes of
stroke play, with a 54-hole
collegiate team division. The "Spirit"
tournament boasts many top graduates, like 1995
Champion-turned-PGA tour player Heath Slocum,
and
1989 Junior Champion-turned-PGA tour player
Stewart
Cink.
Starting in 2020 the golf tournament will be a coed
event. The plan is to have 30 two-woman teams and
30 two-
man teams. The women’s teams will be invited and
not have to pay an entry fee.
View Complete Tournament Information