Jimmy Gardner is a facilitator, an organizer and Lebanon County’s biggest local amateur golf advocate. It just so happens he can play a little bit as well.

Gardner recently teamed with Brian Auman to win the annual Lebanon County Better-Ball-of-Partners tournament at Pine Meadows Golf Course. Gardner and Auman carded a second-day 69 to follow up a blistering opening-round 64, and claim the trophy by three shots over defending champions Mike Schmidt, Jr. and Ryan Weaber.

Gardner and Auman carried a two-shot advantage into the second round, then secured the title with a three-birdie stretch late in the day. Auman ignited the run with a tap-in birdie at number 14.

Then, Auman rolled in a ten-foot birdie putt at the par-four, 15th test. Then on the par-four 16th, Gardner all but clinched the victory by draining a short birdie putt.

Earlier in the summer, Gardner had teamed with Andy Gibbons to qualify for the championship flight of the prestigious W.B. Sullivan Better-Ball-of-Partners event, where they reached the quarterfinals of match play at the Lebanon Country Club. In June at Royal Oaks Golf Course, Gardner won the first flight at the Lebanon County Amatuer golf championships, a tournament which he directed.

– Jeff Falk