Pokkecetu Tournament is almost here!

Each year the Dr. Gil Morgan Golf Course hosts the annual Pokkecetu Golf Tournament. "Pokkecetu" is the Creek-Seminole Indian word which means "ball game." This tournament often hosts 120 amateur golfers from many different locations. Traditionally the tournament is held in June but has occasionally been postponed to later dates in the summer to accommodate for better course conditions. The various flights include the championship flight, president flight, A,B,C,D, and E flights. The tournament runs Friday through Sunday. Below is an excerpt from a 2001 article written by Margaret Jane Norman, which shares the history of the Pokkecetu.     

Norman stated, "Pokkecetu was the name given to the tournament in 1951 by Isaac Walker, a local Seminole Indian and avid golfer. Translated it means "play ball." Walker, along with Albert Norvell, Raymond Reed, Jake Ray and Bat Shunatona conceived the idea for a tournament to promote the newly constructed Wewoka Municipal Golf Course, and raise money to help pay the pro. At that time the course had little more than wheat stubbled fairways when these men dared to see visions and dream dreams. With the aid of the Greens Committee of Bill Biggers, Clair Robbins and Dewey Malloy the idea of a tournament blossomed into a reality and they did indeed play ball in what was to become one of the oldest and longest continuing golf tournaments in the State of Oklahoma. The first Pro-Am format event drew 19 professionals, 105 amateurs and boasted a cash purse of $325.00, according to a story in the Times Democrat in 1951. All of the cash and merchandise prizes awarded winning amateurs were donated and visiting pros were housed in private residences of Wewokans anxious to help the tournament get off to a good start. The Pro-Am format continued through the 1950's with golf notables of the day taking part. Included were Joe Walser, then part owner of Landmark Corporation which owns and builds golf courses, Orville Moody, past winner of the U.S. Open, Terry Wilcox, L.A. Young, Chris Gers, Glen Fowler, Jim Moeller, Stormy Williams, Freddie Schrutchfield, and James Harris." In the 1960's the winners were Jim Wright, R.H. Sikes, Terry Wilcox, Dick Martin, Bruce Wilkerson, Dick Orr, Dennis Ewing, Mark Hayes, Ed Wisdom, and Dwayne Tilley. The winners hailed from Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. In 1970 Gil Morgan, Wewoka was a winner together with Terry O'Toole, Ted Goin, Terry Wilkerson, Ed Wisdom, Rod Kimmel, Terry Collier, and Wewoka golfers Mark Kedy and John Norman. In 1979 the course was closed for rebuilding and in 1980 local players who participated were Duncan Payne, brothers T.G. and Wilbanks Harrison, Andrew Bohannon, Hank Edwards, Ben D. Floyd, Spink Williams, Bob Cotton, Cluke Myers, Ed Norman, Dick Roberts, and Gilmer Morgan."

1951        L.A. Young 

1952       Chris Gers 

1953       Glen Fowler 

1954       Joe Walser 

1955       Jim Moeller 

1956       Stormy Williams 

1957       Terry Wilcom 

1958       Fred Scruthfield 

1959       James Harris 

1960       Jim Wright 

1961        R.H. Sikes 

1962       Terry Wilcox 

1963        Dick Martin 

1964        Bruce Wilkerson 

1965        Dick Orr 

1966        Dennis Ewing 

1967        Mark Hayes 

1968        Ed Wisdom 

1969        Dwayne Tilley 

1970        Gil Morgan 

1971        Terry O'Toole 

1972        Ted Goin 

1973         Terry Wilkerson 

1974         Ed Wisdom 

1975         Rod Kimmell 

1976        Terry Collier 

1977         Mark Kedy  

1978        John Norman 

1980        Terry Collier 

1981        Mark Kedy 

1982        Mark Kedy 

1984        Steve Ramsey 

1985        David Kedy 

1986        Cletus Colbert 

1987        Jake Bevelhymer 

1991        Cletus Colbert 

1992        Steve Ramsey 

1993        Steve Ramsey 

1994        Keith Schelb 

1995        David Jennings 

1996        David Jennings 

1997        David Jennings 

1998        David Jennings 

1999        Mark Kedy 

2000        Russell Moyer 

2001        Mike O'Brien 

2002        Beau Galyean 

2003        Beau Galyean 

2004        Chris Conn 

2005        Tyler Kimrey 

2006        Blaine Butner 

2007        Jason Meyer 

2008        Kurtis Ronck 

2009        Chris Conn 

2010        Blaine Butner 

2011        Chris Conn 

2012        Tyler Hargus 

2013        Blade Knox 

2014        Blaine Butner 

2015        Justin Powell 

2016        Jarod Baker

2017         Caleb Conn

2018         Craig Vanhorn

2019         Craig Vanhorn

2020        Blaine Butner

2021         Blaine Butner 

2022        Carson Newton

2023        Tanner Knox

2024        Caleb Conn