ESTEVAN - The annual Dustin Pratt Memorial Redneck Golf Tournament, held Saturday at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course, was about fun, fundraising and celebrating Pratt’s life.
A total of 34 teams entered the event. Teams weren’t required to keep score, and there weren’t prizes handed out at the end.
“It was a great day. The weather was perfect,” said Dustin’s mother Roxane.
Traditional golf attire was replaced by more casual clothing, such as plaid, camouflage and cut-off shorts. Pratt thought the clothes looked great, and she could see the creativity that some teams had. Music played from many of the golf carts during the afternoon.
Dustin’s brother Derian led a toast to Dustin before the tournament started.
Dustin died in a workplace accident in 2016 at the age of 27. Since that time, a fund has been started in his name that has helped many local families and organizations.
Roxane noted they have already had requests to sponsor a sports team next year, and they want to see which families come to them for help. They always want to help where a need exists.
The Estevan Lacrosse Association, Estevan Minor Hockey Association, Estevan Wildlife Federation and Special Olympics have all benefitted from the tournament.
They also created Dustin’s Corner in the waiting room of St. Joseph’s Hospital. It’s for kids who are waiting in the emergency room or for those who are at the hospital. The memorial fund also sponsors gift bags for the children who are admitted into the hospital, with a teddy bear, blanket and a colouring book and crayons.
They also support the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre, the Community Hamper Association and its Angel Tree program, and the Estevan Kinette Club’s PJ Project.
“We’ve sponsored many families for different reasons,” said Roxane.
A final fundraising tally for this year’s tournament was not immediately known.
