HARLINGEN — Even the golf carts were bundled up at the Life Begins at 40 golf tournament in 2022.
Golfers and spectators were battered by the cold weather. Some golfers opted out of their matches for the cozy confines of the Harlingen Country Club.
This year, the golfers face temperatures in the low 90s and high 80s for the 71st annual Life Begins at 40 golf tournament. Match play is set to begin at 12:15 p.m. today at the Harlingen Country Club.
“It is great to be able to play in warm weather,” Life Begins at 40 President Jeff Scoggins said. “The wind does play a factor. We do have an advantage being from the Rio Grande Valley, playing in the wind most of the time. Players from out of town do struggle, but at the end of the day we have to play the golf course and the conditions. We are just happy we can shed some of the layers we wore last year.”
The cold weather could not stop McAllen’s Ron Kilby from capturing his 12th tournament title, the most in the history of the competition. Kilby is set to defend his title this year but is coming off of a shoulder injury, Scoggins said.
“He is coming in rusty, but again, he is a 12-time champion,” Scoggins said. “He is always in it because of his experience and because he is a great player.”
A total number of 15 golfers qualified for the championship flight. The qualifying round took place Tuesday. Bryan Kennedy had the best score on the day, posting a 72, par for the course. Kilby shot a 78 even though he was already qualified.
Steven Bazan and Dan MacDonald both shot a 73 on Tuesday. Justin Brown, Chris Wicker and Ray Iler — three previous champions to win the tournament between the years Kilby won — also qualified for the championship flight. Four previous champions are in the championship flight.
Henry Cabrera, Arnoldo Curiel, Bob Ermey, Lee Hollon, Mike Howland, Andrew Howorth, John Lackey, Scott Smith, Michael Villarreal and Bill Werley Jr. round out the rest of the championship flight that is set to do battle this week.