Backspin Volume 3, Issue 4 | Page 34

Shell Landing: Gautier Stinson said. Of the 21 players in last year’s tournament, 16 earned awards, including door prizes, proximity prizes and last place prizes. Stinson said this helps draw more people to the tournament because they know there is a greater chance of having something to show for their participation. “We’d like to make it a destination tournament for lefty players,” said Stinson. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about the course.” The Southern Southpaw state and overall championships will take place at Shell Landing in Gautier, Mississippi. “It’s a formidable course,” he added. Plans for next year’s tournament include an Alabama location, and the tournament will take place in Louisiana the next year. Stinson wants to rotate the hosting duties among the three participating states. As for long-term plans, he wants to eventually bring the National Association of Left-Handed Golfers to the region. “My interest is just getting people to play in the tournament,” Stinson said. He described these tournaments as an attempt to get lefties together to play for something bigger. “My goal is to in 10 years look at this and go, ‘Look at what we did.’” The inaugural Southern Southpaw Championships will take place June 4 and 5. The entry fee is $160. Those interested in the tournaments may find additional information on the groups’ Facebook pages Mississippi Lefties as well as Southern Southpaw Championships. The organization’s Twitter handle is @mslefties.