A Day of Weather, Competition, and Community
On a brisk Saturday morning, the 3rd Annual Dabney Harrison Memorial Golf Tournament teed off at The Ranch Wallis Smith Community Golf Course in Crystal Beach. The day began with a lively winner-take-all putting contest. After about a dozen attempts, the closest putt was 7-1/2 inches—until Buddy Ruffeno, the final participant, stepped up and sank his putt to claim the prize money, setting an exciting tone for the day.
Promptly at 9 a.m., 24 golfers braved the chilly conditions to begin their rounds. The 8 threesomes had been carefully selected during the Calcutta event held the night before. Excitement buzzed around the $25,000 hole-in-one contest on the 3rd hole and the long drive award on the 9th, adding an extra layer of competition to the day.
As the tournament progressed, the weather took a turn for the worse. A brief rain delay saw some golfers stay on the course, determined to push through, but a longer delay eventually drove everyone to the clubhouse. There, participants and volunteers were treated to a warm spread of sausage and boudin, providing much-needed comfort as they waited for the rain to pass.
When play resumed—though one team decided to call it a day—the wind had picked up, and scores reflected the challenging conditions. Despite the struggles, the spirit of the event remained strong. While the course record was safe for another day, the tournament succeeded in honoring the memory of Dabney Harrison.
A long-time resident and avid golfer, Dabney was known for his unwavering dedication to the course, spending countless hours ensuring its playability for the community to enjoy. His legacy was kept alive through the support of Seaside Lumber, numerous sponsors, volunteers, and, of course, the resilient golfers who participated despite the challenging weather.
Congratulations to the winners, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the event a fitting tribute to Dabney Harrison. Here’s to another year of celebrating his memory and love for the game.
