By Alex Paul
Chronicle staff

     A thermometer on a tree facing the sun at the Okanogan Valley Golf Club Saturday afternoon was pegged at 120 degrees.
     It was really about 105 degrees and the eight teams of four that competed in the 12th annual Grubstake Open sponsored by the Conconully Chamber of Commerce, were plenty warm with the 1 p.m. shotgun start.
     Taking home $300 for first place was the team of Joe Lorz, Tonasket; Glenn Huber, Tonasket; Reid Rubert, Malott; and Danny Vassar, Tonasket. They had a 51 net score.
     Second place and $100 went to Jerry Day, Omak; Jason VanderWeide, Okanogan; Jay VanderWeide, Okanogan; and Brian Chamberlain, Omak. They had a 56 net.
     Brian Lewis had the longest drive for a golfer under age 55 and Joe Lorz had the longest drive for a golfer older than 55. Lorz also recorded the closest to the pin on No. 6 hole at 18' 7.5". Scott Suder took the honor on No. 17 hole at 5'10".
     They won a dozen Titleist golf balls each.
     "Last year, it was cool, but this is the hottest weather we've had for this," said Nancy Gill, the event committee chairwoman. "The Conconully Fire Department actually started this about 12 years ago. The chamber took it over 10 years ago. We use the proceeds for community events."
     Gill said her goal is to net about $1,500, but she didn't think that would be possible this year due to the low team turnout.
     "We usually get at least four more teams than this," Gill said. "It must be too hot."
     Funds for the winning teams came from the chamber and the North Central Washington ATV Club, Gill said.
     One team of three golfers had 14 birdies on 18 holes. Team members were John Belles, Brian Lewis and Mike Cornett.
     Assisting Gill were Dan Courneya, Dave Carpenter, Mike and Joan Leckvold, Tami Cochran, Gary King and Marilyn Church.
     Gill thanked the merchants who donated numerous raffle prizes and the North Central ATV Club for its support. The grand prize was tickets to a Seattle Mariners game donated by John King.
     "The golfers always look forward to the Mariners ticket," Gill said.
     "They enjoy making a weekend out of it."