Golf tourney changes name

Sikeston Jaycee Jason Pounds displays on of the new towels made up for this year's tournament.

SIKESTON -- The Jaycee Classic Golf Tournament is undergoing a permanent name change.

Matt Barnes, a Sikeston Jaycee who tragically died on Nov. 12 of cardiac arrest at the age of 29, will have the tournament renamed in his memory to Matt Barnes Memorial Jaycee Classic.

Also the Professional Bull Riding Rodeo held in June at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds will bear Barnes' name for this year.

The golf tournament will start tomorrow at 8 a.m. and will run on Sunday at the Sikeston Country Club.

"It's the same tournament but it's in Matt's name," said Jaycee past-president and current rodeo board member Jason Pounds. "We decided to devote the golf tournament in his name."

Some of the side events associated with the tournament involve a raffle for a weed-eater and the Jaycees are selling towels with the tournament name stitched in for $10 apiece.

Some of the proceeds for the raffle and the towels will go to a $500 Ag scholarship at Sikeston High School, which will also be in Barnes' name.

The rest of the proceeds will be donated to various charities around the area.

Barnes was a California native but relocated to Sikeston where he joined the Jaycees, in which he was a member for over a year until his untimely death.

The golf tournament is the 12th annual event. The raffle and towels are currently being sold.

Raffle tickets are sold for one dollar, which can be purchased at tomorrow's golf tournament along with the new towels.