At Talking Rock, tournament season is something we circle on our calendars every year. These events aren’t just about competition—they’re about bringing people together, creating memories, and celebrating the game we all love. This summer, two of our most anticipated tournaments delivered everything we could have hoped for: the BIG TALK Men’s Member-Guest and the 17th Annual Spirit Cup Ladies Member-Guest – Tee Time at Tiffany’s.

The BIG TALK Men’s Member-Guest

The BIG TALK has long been one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year, and this summer it lived up to its reputation. With forecasts hinting at rain, players were relieved when the skies stayed clear and the winds light—ideal conditions across multiple rounds.

Off the course, members enjoyed Friday’s closest-to-the-pin contest from the clubhouse patio, followed by Chef Kyle’s steak cookout and a Texas Hold’em poker tournament that stretched into the evening.

Saturday’s highlight was the dramatic championship shootout. Mike Hubbard and Dustin Sonn battled their way in from the second-place shootout, only to fall short in the championship shootout. The final hole came down to the teams of Randy Joly & Ian Dunn vs. Steve Rosenbluth & Sandy Fisch vs. Landon Turner & Wade Occomazzo. Joly and Dunn faced a daunting 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th green for a chance at victory. With hundreds of spectators watching, Joly drained the putt, sending cheers echoing across the course—so loud, in fact, that members across the property heard the roar from their own homes.

The putt clinched Joly’s third BIG TALK title, having previously won in 2009 and 2021, making him the first and only player to achieve this milestone in tournament history.

The 17th Annual Spirit Cup – Tee Time at Tiffany’s

 From the opening evening—with live music by the Tone Kings, gift distribution, pari-mutuel betting, and a chipping contest into a floating kitty pool—it was clear the Spirit Cup would be as fun as it was competitive.

The eclectic two-day net format kept the field wide open and exciting. Friday included a putting contest and a unique horserace, where players were paired with others from the field in an alternate shot format. Azura Benson, Laurie Hubbard, Jo Cinq-Mars, and Lisa DeBeni took home the horserace win.

Saturday brought another lively putting contest, this time with every player hitting a putt at once in the “All-In Putting Contest,” which had winners walking away with prizes before heading out for the final round.

In the end, it all came down to a dramatic championship shootout. The final three teams reached the 18th hole, where the team of Azura Benson and guest Vickie Aldrich edged out the team of Donna Ray & Jo Cinq-Mars, and the team of Kimberly Reilly & Jacque Heino to be crowned the 2025 Spirit Cup Champions.

A Special Season at Talking Rock

From the BIG TALK to the Spirit Cup, these tournaments remind us why Talking Rock is such a special place. It’s not just about competition—it’s about the shared moments, the stories told after each round, and the community that makes every day at Talking Rock one to enjoy.