NATCHEZ &045; The St. Jude Children’s Hospital Benefit Scramble Saturday at Duncan Park was one of the more important tournaments of the year in the Miss-Lou.

This tournament donates money to St. Jude, which not only helps children but also their families who need financial support to pay for several expenses and moral support as well.

Kenny Jackson and Malcolm Anders, two of the participants in this year’s St. Jude tournament, have children who are trying to overcome devastating diseases.

Bryan Jackson, Kenny’s son, was diagnosed with ALL leukemia back in 1984.

&uot;When we got to St. Jude, we (Kenny and wife Tammy) were scared he would be diagnosed with cancer,&uot; Kenny said. &uot;They examined him and told us he had cancer. They assured us that they had a good survival rate.

&uot;They were compasionate people. The first three or four months was intensive chemo. The attitude of the place was upbeat. That kind of helps. It’s a great place.&uot;

Bryan Jackson has been in remission for 20 years and will graduate from Mississippi College in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

But that couldn’t have been possible without the help of St. Jude.

&uot;It’s always going to have a special place in our heart,&uot; Kenny said. &uot;Our belief in Jesus Christ, having faith in him and St. Jude, led us through this. I don’t think he’d be here if it wasn’t for St. Jude.&uot;

Jackson teamed with Bill Salters and Kenny Carlton on the Great River Olds team, which finished second in the first flight on a scorecard playoff with a 27-hole total of 97.

Andrew Anders, Malcolm’s son, was diagnosed with leukemia just last Sept. 10 at the age of 6.

&uot;He’s done great,&uot; Robin Anders, Malcolm’s wife, said. &uot;His first two months were outstanding. He didn’t have any complications from chemo.&uot;

Malcolm Anders said playing in this tournament is very important to him. As for St. Jude, Robin Anders said it is a big financial help for families.

&uot;The affiliate in Baton Rouge was super,&uot; Malcolm said.

Malcom Anders teamed with Penn Jones and brother Johnny Anders on the American General team to finish fourth in the first flight with a 27-hole total of 98.

The United Plastic Molders team of Bill Hogue, Jody Waldrop and Tom Matthews won the championship flight with a 27-hole score of 86.

&uot;It was a great team effort,&uot; Waldrop said. &uot;We rode the shoulders of Tom Matthews on the driver. We relied on Bill on the short game. We’re glad to be a part of this event and support St. Jude.&uot;

Their round included a chip-in birdie by Waldrop on No. 10, several birdies on the par-4s by Matthews and eagles on Nos. 3 and 5, two of their last three holes of the day.

&uot;Tom hit a second shot (on No. 5) from about 220 out and landed a foot from the cup,&uot; Waldrop said. &uot;We made the putt and that’s how our day ended.&uot;

The Smith Printing team of Bart Jones, Bill Scott and Anthony Kent finished second with a 27-hole score of 89.

Tee Cotten, Doug Johnson and Scott Ford teamed up to finish third in a scorecard playoff ahead of four other teams after all five teams carded 27-hole scores of 92.

George Hude, Charles Mardis and Joe Brumfield took first place in the first flight with a 27-hole total of 96.

The Blanton Construction team of Randy Blanton, Jimmy Moffett and Rusty Marks was third in the first flight with a 27-hole score of 97.

What was also unique about this year’s St. Jude Scramble was that it was the first year the tournament was a 27-hole, three-person scramble.

And it may not be the last.

Even though the field was not a full one, Novak said he was pleased with having 85 players in this year’s tournament &045; especially considering what happened last year, and not just with the weather.

&uot;Last year was my and Moe’s first year to head this,&uot; Novak said. &uot;We may have donated $1,000 to St. Jude. Money we give back to St. Jude after the tournament.

&uot;This year, backing out expenses, should be a minimum of $3,000. There’s another $1,000 in merchandise to be donated and auctioned off. One thing that helped us was Malcolm Anders. He’s got a kid who has leukemia. He joined in to help us. He’s saved about a quarter million dollars because of St. Jude.&uot;