HEMPHILL, TX – Picture-perfect weather along the shores of Toledo Bend Reservoir provided an incredible setting for the teams of golfers competing in the 3rd annual ‘Remembering Columbia’ NASA Museum Benefit Golf Tournament.
The scramble, held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Cypress Bend Resort in Many, Louisiana, supports the educational initiatives of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia.’
Eight, four-person teams hit the links at 1:30 p.m. in a shotgun start amid sunny conditions.
After completing 18 holes of challenging golf on a championship course, cash and prizes were awarded to the day’s top finishers and winners of individual contests.
First place went to Dale Wilkerson, Michael Kenon, Daryl Melton, and James Kelley, who shot a 50, while second place went to Don Smith, Larry Ferguson, Joe Fruge, and Steve Sublett, who earned a 54. Third place was one stroke behind and was awarded to ‘Team Holly Park-SRA,’ consisting of Miles McDaniel, Jeremy McDaniel, Andrew Mills, and Chad Ford. Our first place finishers generously donated their cash earnings back to the museum.
For a second year in a row, Torrey Hendrix took home the top prize in the longest drive competition, while John Tatum claimed ‘Closest to the Pin.’
While none of the players selected for the hole-in-one shootout took home the grand prize, Dale Wilkerson landed the shot closest to the pin and was rewarded with a brand new driver. Players competed for a Tractor Supply Lawn Package, Travis Mathew Premium Performance Pack and $500 shopping spree, a Cobra F9 Speedback Driver, and a year’s supply of Bridgestone golf balls.
For a third year, the tournament was presented by friends of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia,’ located in Hemphill, Texas and was generously sponsored several businesses and individuals.
The ‘Tee Off’ sponsor was Farmers Insurance- Felts Insurance Agency. Sabean’s Coffee & Creamery/ Yellow Rose Rentals was the ‘Hospitality Sponsor,’ while Shelby Savings Bank sponsored the ‘Longest Drive’ competition and BOM Bank sponsored the ‘Closest to the Pin’ contest.
Hole sponsors included: Big 4, Circle T Tax and Accounting, Slice Pizza, Farm Bureau – Brian Thomas, White’s Excavation, Fairmont Family Practice, Pineywood Pie Co., Chance Construction, J&A Antiques, Backwoods Custom Designs, Thomas Family, Colonial Mortuary, Worsham Dentistry, Sabine State Bank, Shelby Insurance Agency, Lane’s Grocery, Don Smith Construction, Hemphill Hearing LLC, McAdams Propane Company, El Tio Mexican Restaurant, and John & Beth Brewton.
Planning for next year’s outing is already underway. The 4th annual tournament is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2022 with a 1:30 p.m. tee time.
Click here for photos from the event: https://bit.ly/3taUnRm
The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ serves as a memorial to the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy and as an educational facility dedicated to creating science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults. Learn more at www.NASAColumbiaMuseum.com.
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Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum 'Remembering Columbia' 