When local golfers talk about winning teams, the names of DonColeman and Paul Henning are often mentioned. They have won twostraight Tucker Smith Memorial Four-Ball Tournament championshipsat the Brookhaven Country Club.

Coleman and Henning face another talented list of opposing teamsthis weekend so it won’t be easy. A practice round for all 64 teamsis scheduled today and a pairings party follows at 6:30 p.m.

Teams will be flighted for Saturday’s opening round. The fieldwill be narrowed to 32 teams for Monday’s championship rounds.

Henning said winning tournaments is a team effort. “We haveplayed golf together for 10 or 15 years. We work well together. Wehave pretty well brother-in-lawed. When one of us is out of thehole, the other is close enough to win it.”

Henning boasts a 1-handicap. He has changed to Ping I-3 ironsthis year. He uses customized component metal woods and a PingAlly-I putter.

Henning usually plays twice a week. “Don and I meet on Saturdaymornings at 6, before I go to work. We usually walk. We are outthere to have fun.”

Last year they defeated Chandler Russ and Danny Smith in aplayoff. They won on the 19th hole when Coleman rolled in a birdieputt.

“We enjoy playing golf together,” said Henning. “We provideencouragement and lift each other up.

“I’m really addicted to golf,” said Henning. “I try to playevery chance I get. “

Coleman, now an assistant principal at Brookhaven High School,once served as head football coach and golf coach. He coachedHenning in 1979, when Henning was a a senior at BHS.

“We play on Saturday mornings and concentrate on what we aredoing,” said Coleman. “We inspect the course. Paul has very littletime on his job and I stay busy, too.”

Both golfers agreed that tournament play is supposed to be anenjoyable experience. “If I’m out of the hole, Paul does okay. Wedon’t get mad if one of us makes a bad shot. We are both out thereto have fun.”

Coleman uses Pine I-3 irons. “It depends on which day the driverI use,” he joked. Coleman is currently using a Taylormade 300driver and a Callaway 4-strong fairway wood. He uses Titleist Vokeyraw wedges. and putts with an Odyssey Rossi I Blade, complete witha personalized, oversized grip.

Chandler Russ, Henry Swann and Don Coleman won the 3-manscramble at the Brookhaven Country Club in July.

“Don is a good golfer and he’s fun to be around,” said Henning.”We both enjoy the game of golf.”

The tournament is named in honor of Tucker Smith, a Brookhavenresident who died in an automobile accident. He had graduated fromthe United States Military Academy.

All tournament proceeds go to the Lincoln County Habitat forHumanity.

Jeff Henning, tournament director, said this year’s tournamentboasts a talented array of golfers, among them MGA State Amateurchampion Rett Crowder who is paired with Dr. Steve Mills ofBrookhaven.

“This is the strongest field by far,” said Jeff Henning. “Thereshould be some good matches in the first round.”

Saturday’s Tournament Pairings

8 a.m. tee time.

Paul Henning-Don Coleman vs. Jason Albritton-Tom Robinson.

Ben Huey-Matt Mooney vs. Larry Germany-John Germany.

Bobby Allen-Jeffrey Boyd vs. John Gray-Barry Gray.

Leroy Hewitt-Mike Proffitt vs. Richard Case-Jerry Case.

Ray Montalvo-Richard Furr vs. Paul Phillips-Owen Carty.

Cameron Smith-Fred Zachery vs. Ralph Olier-Nick Olier.

Jimmy Germany-Jeff McMills vs. Jason Ohearn-Bill GriffithJr.

Bob Schultz-Clay Ramsey vs. Billy Crozier-Buster Garren.

Alan Grenn-Greg Grenn vs. Rod Delaney-Brad Bumgarner.

Tate Nations-Jason McFadden vs. Les Bumgarner-Glynn Murray.

Jeff Wilson-Tony Smith vs. Scott Murray-Tony Case.

Henry Hamill-Dustin Walker vs. Harry Plotner-Ryan Plotner.

Mike Smith-Josh Smith vs. Allen Kent-Trey Thomas.

Braxter Irby-Joe Buddy Anderson vs. Pat Hennington-ChuckSmith.

Dean Nations-Chris Nations vs. Mike Case-Lee Neal.

Clint Rounsaville-Ty Hardin vs. Coleman Cummings-DickieHonea.

1 p.m. tee time.

David Coleman-Brooks Warren vs. Chandler Russ-Kurt Russ.

Shawn Munson-Schley Purvis vs. Rett Crowder-Steve Mills.

Chris Coffin-Adrian Parker vs. Ronnie Ross-Dean Baham.

George Hennington-Jeff Henning vs. Mitch Bellipanni-Billy WallGuyton.

Tyler Easterwood-Richard Smith vs. Lee Dunaway-DavidDunaway.

J.L. Wallace-Steve Yawn vs. Craig Smith-Mark Smith.

Neil Johnson-Pete Kelly vs. Jessie Alford-Lampton Thomas.

Sha Walker-Leland Speed vs. Don Haskins-David Strong.

Kirk Haskins-Dempsey Parsons vs. Brady Gartman-Brad King.

Wayne Wilson-Brent Hinton vs. Bill Johnson-Hop Sroufe.

Donald Patterson-Bobby Jones vs. Mark-Steve Lamar

Greg Panzica-Michael Boerner vs. Shane Williamson-JamieJones.

Scott Andrews-Tim Case vs. Pete Swalm-Worm Smith.