HOLLY LAKE RANCH — The Holly Lake Ranch Golf Club was awash in red, white & blue.

Plus, there was a shark sighting, dressed in blue and silver.

It was a day of honoring military service men and women, while playing golf and enjoying the sunny East Texas weather at the annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament.

Along with the Patriotic festivities, the special guest was former Dallas Cowboy Kenny Gant, who was sporting with one of his Super Bowl rings. Gant, now a church elder, arrived by helicopter that landed on the driving range. Gant gave the invocation.

Gant was a special teams player in the early 1990s and a member of the Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII championship teams. He was also known for “The Shark Dance” on kickoffs.

The Sons of the Revolution, dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms, presented the colors.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by World War II and Korean War veterans Claude Grisham, Bob Robinson, John Watson, Richard Wright, Bob Klade, Dick Strauss, Howard Hunt, Errol Freeman, Ted Farrar, Charles Upchurch and Clyde Grisham.

Ken Spradlin, Glennda Farrell and Vicki Shaw performed patriotic songs.

The tournament serves as a fundraiser for the Hawkins Area Veterans Memorial Park.

Winning the six-person scramble was the squad of Rusty Garvin, Diane Stinchcomb, Jerry Newill, Linda Newill, Keith Mullinex and Larry Jenkins with a 48.

Steve Kannard, who along with his wife Pam, were visiting from Crossett, Arkansas, drove the green on the No. 9 hole after teammate Dennis Dossey said he would jump in a lake if he did so. The Holly Lake Ranch resident had the opportunity as his home is on the lake. Along with Ron Dossey and Mark Hicks, the team finished second by winning a scorecard playoff after carding a 49.

Placing third was the team of Fred Manley, Don Mills, Jack Mills, Jack Defoor, Ken Gulliot and John Owens.

Many veterans participated in the tourney.

 

Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament

Holly Lake Ranch Golf Club, Holly Lake Ranch

1, Rusty Garvin, Diane Stinchcomb, Jerry Newill, Linda Newill, Keith Mullinex, Larry Jenkins, 48; +2, Ron Dossey, Dennis Dossey, Steve Kannard, Pam Kannard, Mark Hicks, Phil Hicks, 49; 3, Fred Manley, Don Mills, Jack Mills, Jack Defoor, Ken Guillot, John Owens, 49.

+scorecard playoff

Closest to the Hole No. 4 — Ladies: Shari Bledsoe; Men’s Gold Tees: Greg Demko; Men’s White Tees: Carl Tapley.

Longest Drive No. 15 — Ladies: Shari Bledsoe; Men’s Gold Tees: Rusty Garvin; Men’s White Tees: Grant Welch.