COLUMBIA — People gathered around golf carts around 5 p.m. Friday at L.A. Nickell Golf Course to participate in the nine-hole Whiff and Giggle golf tournament, sponsored by the Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation. A voice over the loud speaker announced that everyone had checked in, and they were free to start playing.
The 22 teams, each consisting of one man and one woman, drove onto the course, with each team starting at a different hole. L.A. Nickell employee Doug Simpson said the tournament consists of two flights. The flights are determined after the game and are used in awarding prizes. The first flight includes the top seven scores from the tournament, and the second consists of all of the other teams.
The Whiff and Giggle tournaments take place once a month during the golf season, switching locations between L.A. Nickell and Lake of the Woods Golf Course. The next tournament takes place Aug. 15 at Lake of the Woods.
“It’s a free night without the children,” Todd Storm, of Columbia, said, “It’s light-hearted and about having fun. You can go out for dinner afterwards.”
Players laughed and talked, then got quiet when one person would concentrate on their swing or hit the golf ball. After a player finished their shot, the groups began chatting again and complimenting each other, saying “good shot” or “looks good.”
Jessica Cobb, of Hallsville, was playing in her first tournament of the season.
“I play golf one or two times a week, not in a tournament,” Cobb said. “I love golf and being with friends in an occasional atmosphere. It’s a fun activity outdoors.”
For details on playing in Whiff and Giggle tournaments go to gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Golf/open-tournament-schedule.php.