Cleburne Chamber of Commerce
Ben Hogan Foundation partners with chamber for golf fundraiser presented by BATES etc . Travel
STORY BY Monica Faram
The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce ’ s 25th annual golf tournament fundraiser had two interesting twists this year — and one was a unique partnership with a former Cleburne golf professional .
The Ben Hogan Foundation partnered with the chamber — thanks to a longtime friendship with Chamber President and CEO Tracy Thomas — to support the event .
“ It was an outstanding event and given Mr . Ben Hogan ’ s history with Cleburne Country Club and his unwavering support of the military as Cleburne is a Purple Heart City , there ’ s no doubt in our minds that he would be proud of the outstanding event put on last week ,” said Josie Gregory , senior director of operations for the Ben Hogan Foundation . Additionally , Cleburne Golf Links Course is now one of my top five favorite golf courses in Texas . What a hidden gem ! Great condition , with beautiful lake and countryside views all the way around . It ’ s not often you finish 18 holes and wish you could play another round ! What a treat .”
Hogan ’ s golf bag that was in the locker room at Colonial Country
Club when he passed in 1997 was on the course at Cleburne Golf Links throughout the tournament and players were given the opportunity to play with some of his personal clubs .
“ The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce was thrilled at the community support for our 25th annual golf tournament presented by BATES etc . Travel at the Cleburne Golf Links ,” Thomas said .
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“ The golf course was filled with carts and was a site to see . We were blessed with beautiful weather , day of fun and camaraderie ! None of this would have been possible without our partnerships with our business sponsors , the city and the Ben Hogan Foundation .
“ Our businesses are an integral part of our town , and we are extremely grateful for their partnerships and belief in the chamber . This year we surprised all the players with a unique opportunity to use some of Ben Hogans original clubs , that was fun to watch and a golf ball launcher ! I would like to give a shout out to everyone that joined us , our wonderful ambassadors and a special shout out to our sponsorship partners .”
Hogan won served as the golf professional at the Nolan River Country Club — which eventually became the Cleburne Golf Links — in 1931-32 . Hogan began caddying at the Glen Garden Country Club when his family moved to Fort Worth in the 1920s .
According to a 2012 Times-Review article by John Watson , While at Glen Garden , Ben met and caddied for Marvin Leonard , owner and operator of the largest department store in North Texas
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22 Community Life