Golf scramble highlights ‘HunterBrave’ scholarship benefit
Submitted by Casscounty1 on
By Tim Emmons
ATLANTA-- Sometimes the most well-known, unforgettable entertainers and athletes are taken too soon.
The same can be applied to every community and small town across the world that has lost one of its own.
Here in Atlanta, Hunter Watkins, a former standout high school golfer who died of a rare form of cancer in 2015, fits that bill perfectly. But in the wake of sadness, a courageous legacy was born.
Hunter’s memory and legacy will be in the forefront this Saturday when the HunterBrave-Hunter Watkins Committee, which is comprised of family, friends, and community members, hosts the inaugural HunterBrave-Hunter Watkins Memorial Scholarship Benefit at Indian Hills Country Club in Atlanta.
Events will kick off with a breakfast for teams entered in the golf scramble at 7:30 a.m. followed by the scramble. At noon, golfers and the participating public will be treated to an all you can eat crawfish boil.
Hunter was a 2012 graduate of Atlanta High School, and afterwards, attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville for two years, where he was pursuing a degree in professional golf management.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mudding and water sports, and was a member of the award-winning 2012 Atlanta High School golf team.
He was one of those rare individuals who never met a stranger and his infectious laugh, smile and character were evident to all who had the pleasure of meeting him.
Hunter was not only a remarkable athlete but was an extraordinary human being.
He once hit a hole-in-one at Indian Hills Country Club on the number seven hole, a 175-yard, par three.
The feat was witnessed by friend and AHS golf teammate Will Cole.
The talented golfer earned district championship honors in his senior year, but as talented as he was on the links his greatest battle happened away from the golf course.
Before his 20th birthday Hunter was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma which is a rare disease where cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue.
Ewing’s sarcoma occurs most frequently in teenagers and young adults.
The diagnosis may have sidetracked his life, but his attitude never derailed.
After several treatments and tons of prayer Hunter overcame the odds and beat cancer, but it returned later and the son of Mitch and Karen Watkins was called home at 21 years of age.
Through it all Hunter was quoted saying, “The cancer is in me but I am not in it!”
Those who knew him best would say that he was an inspiration to everyone he encountered, especially during his long, courageous battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. Even through all of his suffering, he always had a smile on his face, lifting up the spirits of his family and friends and comforting those he loved.
Other events Saturday include a team washer tournament starting at 3 p.m. where eliminated contestants will be able to buy themselves back into the action. A gun raffle and silent auction will conclude benefit sponsored activities around 7 p.m.
Four-man teams interested in the golf scramble can register at the Indian Hills Country Club pro shop until tee time at 8 a.m. washer tournament teams may sign up on site before 3 p.m. Raffle tickets, a shot at the silent auction, window decals and HunterBrave t-shirts will be available at the door.
The firearms included in the gun raffle are: Browning BLR .308, Browning BAR Safari .270, Browning A5 12 gauge and a Henry Golden Boy 45LC.
The HunterBrave-Hunter Watkins Scholarship will benefit area students entering their freshman and sophomore year of college or specialty trade school. An academic scholarship for expenses will be awarded to area students annually. Efforts will be made by the selection committee to limit eligibility to academically qualifying students who may not be able to attend without financial help.
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