YMCA holds 19th annual Kevin Turner golf benefit
The 19th year of the Kevin Turner YMCA golf tournament is the first without its namesake.
Montgomery, Ala. (www.waka.com)—It’s the 19th year of the Kevin Turner YMCA golf tournament in Turner’s beloved hometown of Prattville, but this year the tournament is different because its “driving force” is missing.
Turner passed away back on March 24 ending his battle with ALS, but the tournament that bears his name still drew hundreds. Tournament director Keith Cantrell suggests he had a little help from above.
“Today’s special. It’s a beautiful day because someone is looking down making sure we had a great day,” Cantrell said.
The tournament has grown since its humble beginnings 19 years ago, but this year, in Turner’s absence, the tournament drew the biggest turnout in its history.
“He would be overwhelmed by the number of people that are here participating in the event,” Cantrell said. “He was a humble guy that didn’t like the limelight. He just enjoyed people.”
In 1997, Turner made the decision to team up with the Prattville YMCA, which is how the tournament originated, and although Turner has passed, his legacy lives on.
“He would’ve loved to see this. The amount of people here supporting the YMCA,” said Raymond Turner, Kevin Turner’s father. “I’d like to think he has something to do with that, and it’s really gratifying.”
Minutes before the teams teed off, Turner’s family was honored with a proclamation from the YMCA that the tournament will forever carry Kevin’s name.
