VALDOSTA ––  The Henderson family hosted its 14th Doug Henderson Memorial golf tournament at Valdosta Country Club on Friday morning.

The tournament held for the late Doug Henderson III featured 28 teams raising money to give 200 $1,000 scholarships to senior students. Among those participating in the event were Doug’s brothers, Valwood head football coach Justin Henderson and Thomas County Central head football coach Ashley Henderson, as well as four of Doug’s former Sigma Pi fraternity brothers from the University of Georgia: Mark Clark, Zac Crosby, Brian Conley and Jason Jordan.

After the event, Justin said he was pleased with the turnout and support shown for the foundation.

“Poor old mom (Bev Henderson), she gets worried every year that it’s not gonna be good,” Justin said with a grin. “I think we wound up with 28 teams again this year so it’s just as good as it always was. One thing about living in this town, whatever it is, is this town supports one another and this is a foundation that helps local charities and gives scholarships to local kids. And this town supports that.

“Doug, my brother, meant a lot to a lot of people and those people put this thing together and the town gets behind it and supports it. Valdosta’s a great place to live because of that reason right there––everybody cares about everybody around here. Once again, (the event was) very successful.”

Teamed with Valwood headmaster John Davis and teammates Clint Yager and John Landon Vickers, Justin’s Team Valwood finished second with a net score of 52 behind first-place Hogan’s Pharmacy’s net score of 51. 

When asked about his performance, Justin couldn’t resist a good-natured dig at his teammates after the event.

“Well, Mr. Davis, my headmaster was awful heavy to carry the whole time, but other than that, we did all right,” Justin cracked. “We did pretty good. We started out hot, then came back down to Earth after that and shot about what we thought we’d shoot.

“(The competitiveness) really depends on how good you’re playing. If you’re playing good, everybody zones in and takes it serious. But when you start falling off, people are just like, ‘Well, it’s for a good cause. We’re out here for a good time anyway.’ But I will say this, I can’t play any more sports––all my eligibility’s used up––this is one thing I can still come out here and get to compete in as an athlete, not as an observer.”

Justin’s brother Ashley, who gave way to Justin before taking the head coaching position at Thomas County Central this offseason, praised the work of Leanne Hogan and his mother have done organizing the tournament and the community’s support of the foundation.

“I’m always in awe of what Leanne Hogan and my mom, Bev Henderson, do for it to organize it and year-in and year-out… this is the biggest of the year of those scrambles that come out,” Ashley said. “It feels like there’s one a week, but this is always the best one and the biggest turnout and the most consistent one. There’s always 27-plus teams and that’s a testament to their hard work, but also a testament to this community and how special of a place it is.

“They rally around their own––they always have and they always will. So, it’s neat. You’ve got Doug’s fraternity brothers that come down every year, but typically it’s the same guys year-in and year-out playing in it and sponsoring it. Then, to see what the foundation does with that money, dumping it back into kids’ scholarships to give them opportunities to go to school, it’s pretty neat.”

Though he wasn’t certain on his team’s performance, Ashley enjoyed the time the tournament gave him to spend with his dad and cousin at the event.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Ashley said. “We did all right. We played Bottom good, but we limped around Bellmeade so I don’t know if that’s gonna be enough. It was a lot of fun. I spent more time with my dad and my cousin than I have in the past three months. It was a good time and a good turnout, maybe we limped in there. I had the long drive for a minute, I don’t know if it held up though.”

Being on different teams, Justin and Ashley weren’t competing head-to-head directly but Ashley believes he’s a superior golfer to his brother on the greens.

“I play golf better than him and he hits the ball off the tee box longer than I do,” Ashley said of his brother. “He can smash off the tee box. But, if you put me and him on a golf course, I’ll beat him. Off the tee box, though, he’s an animal.”

With its 14th successful tournament complete, the Henderson family continues to press on in Doug’s name. According to Ashley, the tournament continues to thrive 14 years later as an ode to Doug’s legacy.

“That’s what it’s all about––in your life, how many people will remember you when you’re gone?” Ashley said. “(This tournament) is just as strong in Year 14 as in Year 1. That’s a testament to Doug and his character and his legacy. I’m thankful for all these businesses and friends that come in and support it every year.”

Donations can be made to: Doug Henderson III Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 3833, Valdosta, GA 31604.