Despite early rain showers, players in the championship, first and second fights of the 32nd annual Harvest Club Open Golf Tournament completed their final rounds, and Marlo Lamela emerged victorious.

Lamela shot a final round of 70 to finish at 140, beating out Mike Williams, who finished with a 142, to take top honors.

Lamela, a Los Angeles native, is currently competing in his fourth season on the Alcorn State golf team, and is also working to finish his degree from the Alcorn School of Nursing School.

“It was a very good win. I am thankful for God giving me the talent to win,” he said.

Lamela said he dedicated his win to his mother, who passed away when he was 5 years old.

“She has always been an inspiration,” he said.

The tournament’s field included 162 golfers from eight different states. Harvest Club Director of Golf K.G. Watkins said this year was the largest turn out in tournament history, and he said every tournament has been held at Duncan Park.

“There were good golfers from all over place,” Lamela said. “It was a good opportunity for me to showcase my talent, and I got lucky.”

Samuel Mosley, 18, from Devers, Texas, won the second flight. He said today’s finish ranks number one in his golfing accomplishments.

“I like the greens. They were better than several of the one s in Texas,” he said.

While the tournament field consisted of players of all ages, Watkins said the main purpose for the Harvest Club is to promote junior golf, and the qualities that the game of golf teaches. Specifically integrity, confidence and sportsmanship, he said. But he added that the Harvest club is more than just about golf.

Besides the tournament, the Harvest Club also offers a youth golf clinic to help promote the sport, and contributes in various other activities that benefit the community.

Tournament committee member Henry E. West said the Harvest Club is not limited to golf. He said the organization is a Relay for Life sponsor, and has also helped kids in various activities pursue their dreams in other realms besides golf.

“We try to create an overflow and give back to the community. But our common love is golf, and it keeps us together,” West said.

He also said the tournament economically benefits the city of Natchez. West said 150 of the 162 golfers in the tournament were from outside of Natchez. He said that filled 92 rooms in five different hotels.

“That has a pretty big economic impact,” he said.

To promote the tournament among out of state players, Watkins said he and other members of the Harvest Club had to travel to get the word out.

“We don’t promote the tournament,” he said. “We promote Natchez.”

Planning for next year’s tournament is already underway, and both Watkins and West said they expect the tournament to be even better next year.