NATCHEZ — The 10th annual Natchez Golf Classic, sponsored by the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Foundation, had one of the biggest turnouts in the history of the tournament.

Seventy-six players took place in this year’s four-man scramble Thursday afternoon at Beau Pré Country Club. Usually, three teams end up winning trophies for low gross, low net and corporate team.

However, that would not be the case this year. One of the teams Peoples Bank sponsored, that of Donnie Spears, Larry Hill, Bart Jones and Bill Scott, won both the low gross and low corporate team awards with a round of 18-under-par 54.

“We probably had 12 holes in which we didn’t have to putt,” Hill said. “Bill ‘Little Guy’ Scott came in strong at the end. We had two eagles (8 and 18), two pars and 14 birdies.”

The team of Sonny Dickey, Rickey King, Ben Yarbrough and Trey Dickey, sponsored by Franklin County Memorial Hospital, won the low net award after firing a 56 to go with a -1 team handicap for a net score of 57. That team had 16 birdies and two pars.

“We just sort of came through when someone had a bad shot. Good teamwork. It was just a team effort,” said Sonny Dickey, administrator at Franklin County Memorial Hospital. “It was one of those situations where each hole someone would hit a good shot. The round is reflected of the service our hospital provides.”

Dr. Ronnie Nettles, president of Co-Lin Natchez, described the turnout for this year’s tournament as “tremendous.”

“Largest number of corporate sponsors. Great support from the Natchez community,” Nettles said. “The purpose is to provide scholarships for students and professional development funds for faculty.”

Charlotte Hill, executive director of the Co-Lin Foundation, said the event was the most successful one ever.

“And that’s due to the hard work of our Natchez Foundation board members — Bill Salters, Woody Allen, Andrew Calvitt and Terry Estes. They work tirelessly to ensure the success of the golf tournament.”

One team that missed out on the team award was another team sponsored by Peoples Bank. The team of Randy Martin, Johnny Monroe, Bob Hyer and Raymond Steele had a round of 17-under-par 55, but their +5 team handicap gave them a net score of 60.