200 play for Sheriff’s Youth Homes

More than 200 golfers signed up for Monday’s Steve Byrd Memorial Golf Outing sponsored by Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton and the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

The event took place at the Houston Lake Country Club in Perry.

“I’m here for a good cause,” said Paul Hibbitts Sr. of Warner Robins, adding that this was his fifth year at the annual event which benefits the five Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes: Boys Ranch in Hahira, Cherokee Estate in Dalton, Pineland/Camp Pioneer in LaGrange, Herrington Homestead near Swainsboro, and MountainView in Chatsworth. Playing along with Hibbits was first-time attendee Mike Sternberg of Perry.

Talton welcomed the 88 golfers early Monday and the afternoon group of 112, noting it was to date the most successful gathering.

Jerry Gordon, whom Talton called “the ramrod” of the fundraiser, said “It was hard to tell the sheriff no” when he sought volunteers for the event.

Byrd, who died in December 2001, “developed Houston County,” said Talton, adding that many who benefited from his efforts did not know it was Byrd who made it possible.

District 144 State Rep. Bubber Epps, R-Dry Branch, one of the many political celebrities attending, said he was impressed by the work Talton has done.

“The humanitarian aspect of youth is important to him,” Epps said. “He is a big man with a big heart put to good use.”

Justin Pyron of Ferguson Enterprises in Macon said this was his third time at the outing and he was “here to win.”

He laughed and added he was also at the event “to have a good time and fellowship a little bit.”

Attending and playing for the first time was Sharron Asbury of Byron, who said she has been playing golf for 30 years.

“I’m here to support law enforcement,” Asbury said. “They do catch some heat and we have to let them know we support them.

“Steve Byrd was the finest gentleman I ever met,” Talton said as he introduced Byrd’s widow Betty, son Mark and his wife Amy. “Mark, your daddy would be proud of you.”

According to its website, “the purpose of Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes is to provide a secure future for Georgia’s needy and worthy children who through no fault of their own require out of home placement. They are given love, guidance, structure, and all the advantages that are every American child’s birthright. The Youth Homes are not reform schools or correctional institutions. Our homes are warm, caring and secure places for children to live.”

Many of the children who attended the homes later went on to have successful careers in fields such as business or medicine, said Gordon.

HHJ News