By most accounts, Dustin Pratt wasn't the most serious of golfers.
According to his mother, Roxane Pratt, while he was alive her son enjoyed the more fun aspects of golf tournaments he'd been at. A golf day was organized at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course in the name of Dustin, who died last August at a site near Alameda at age 27.
“Dustin was all about the plaid, the cowboy boots and the chew in the lip,” said Roxane. “We thought when we were trying to think of a theme, we'd pick redneck. That's what we chose and it's going to be a huge success.”
With that in mind, many of the teams went full bore on the redneck themed attire. It wasn't uncommon to see undone plaid shirts – or bare chests – on the greens and fairways. With prizes on holes including the first hole where the drive was supposed to hit an inflated deer, this wasn't an overly competitive golf event.
But what it lacked in the effete golf decorum it made up for in success. The event had 36 teams of four players each, selling out a couple of weeks before the tournament.
“The response has just been overwhelming,” Roxane said. “People have just been excellent.”
When the opportunity arose to have a golf tournament that emphasized the fun aspects of the game that Dustin enjoyed, together with a chance to make money for some of Dustin's favourite causes, the event came together well.
“Any money that we raise is going to stay local,” Roxane said. “It's going to go to families that have sick children and help with medical expenses, hotel rooms and travel expenses. Also what we'll do is sponsor children for sports that normally wouldn't be able to play sports. We'll help sponsor their cost. But all the money will stay local in the Estevan area.”
Dustin loved kids, Roxane said. And now that they've made a success out of the first tournament, there's plans to do it again.
“We hope to carry it on for a few years,” she said. “The response has been overwhelming.”
Roxane was appreciative of the help Woodlawn offered throughout the planning and execution of the event.
“Everybody in general has been a big help,” she said. “All of Dustin's friends and family, everybody.”
