Houston County Sheriff’s Office annual golf tournament to honor life and legacy of Sheriff Cullen Talton

PERRY — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office is keeping their tradition alive with their annual golf tournament at Houston Lake Country Club Monday, Sept. 29-30. 

The tournament will now be called the Sheriff Cullen Talton Memorial Golf Tournament. Sheriff Matt Moulton said this tournament has been around for almost 20 years, started by Talton. The goal of the tournament is to raise funds for the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes. 

“The Georgia Sheriff’s Association and the Georgia Sheriffs supports five campuses across the State of Georgia where children come in to live with our foster families,” Moulton said. “These are good kids who come from horrible situations whether it be drug addicted parents or abusive and neglective parents.” 

Moulton said the kids go to school while living in the Sheriff’s Youth Homes. If they choose to go to college, the Georgia Sheriff’s Association will pay for their college education. 

“In the last 15 years, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office has donated over $1.4 million to the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes,” he said. “The Sheriff’s Youth Homes have always held a very special place in Sheriff Talton’s heart and had fond memories of the youth homes and for what it does with the children.” 

As Sheriff, Moulton wants to continue the work that Talton started. With the community backing it in full force, Moulton hopes this year’s tournament will be the biggest and best to honor Talton’s life and legacy. 

“He loved those kids and what the Sheriff’s Youth Homes stood for as it was very important to him, and it is very important to me and the rest of the staff at the sheriff’s office,” he said. “We’re just so thankful for the support that the community has shown us this year, specifically with the tournaments supporting us.”

Moulton believes Talton is very proud of him and his staff for continuing the golf tournament. 

“I have no doubt that he is smiling down from heaven at us watching this,” he said. “We’re praying for good weather Monday and Tuesday. The forecast I’ve seen is in the low 80s without a cloud in the sky both days. I would say Sheriff Talton is calling the shots on that, making it a special two days for us.” 

Personally, Moulton is looking forward to meeting with Sheriff Talton’s old friends as well as honoring Talton in everything they do at the tournament. 

The golf tournament is currently full of teams participating, however, Moulton said they are still taking donations. 

“I just want to thank the people participating and supporting this golf tournament as it means a lot to me and I know it would mean a lot to Sheriff Talton.” 

To learn more about the Sheriff’s Youth Homes and to donate to their cause go to www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org/donate/