By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Last year, the race for the Jim Ragland Cup went down to the wire as the four-man team of Andy and Jimmy Dorsey and Steve and Terry Evans went to a playoff against Danny Crooks, Wayne Cravens, Alan Neely and Mike Jenne. Through an arduous playoff, Crooks, Cravens, Neely and Jenne emerged victorious in 2020's Tech Football Alumni Reunion and Golf Classic.
A year later as the 31st annual incarnation was taking place, the two teams were in the mix all day at the Golden Eagle Golf Club, but there was no playoff needed this time around as the Dorseys and Evanses took the 2021 Ragland Cup title with a combined score of 48. Mark Wattenbarger, Daniel Gipson, Tracy Graham and Glen Puryear finished second with a 49. The Ragland Cup is awarded to the top finishing team composed completely with former Tech football players, coaches, trainers or managers.
Three non-Cup-eligible teams scored a 48 with Rogers Luna, Mike Gaw, Kerry Davis and Trevor Howard taking the top spot via tiebreaker, ending the day even with the team of Chuck Usher, Scott Nicholson, Kent Hall and Paul Ballard as well as the team of Jay Albrecht, Wayne Anderson, Rick Anderson and Mike McCloud to lead the top flight.
Through the weekend, it was a record crowd for the Tony Stone BBQ Dinner on Friday as it was nearly standing room only in the clubhouse for the annual reunion dinner. On Saturday, more than 200 golfers participated in the field, doing their part to give back to the Tech football program.
Special thanks for this year's event are extended to Cherokee Distributing, Pepsi, Melinda and Randy Keifer, Julie and Danny Lee, 7 Senses Food and Cheer and the Golden Eagle Golf Club.
As the event enters its 32nd year next year, the Tech Football Alumni Reunion and Golf Classic will help kick off the Golden Eagles' football centennial celebration, so make plans to take part in 2022.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
