'Poster child' returns for golf tourney

For more than 60 years the East Texas Treatment Center Golf Classic has been special.

For more than 60 years proceeds from the event, sponsored by the East Texas Oil Men's Golf Association, has raised money and awareness for the center.

This year's tournament is living up to its reputation and going a step further.

At the 1961 tournament, a young Bobby Everett, wearing leg braces, was pictured lining up a putt. That picture has been used for years and Everett as the "poster boy" for the tournament.

This year, Everett and his family are returning to the golf tournament which begins tomorrow at Meadowbrook County Club. He is expected to talk about the treatment center, the tournament and how they affected his life.

Phillip McCarthy, one of the tournament chairmen, said he's been working on the volunteer event more than 25 years.

"Willie Roberts and I are, I guess, the oldest on the volunteer board," he said.

McCarthy said he started working with the tournament because it was a way to give back to the community.

"Everybody should do something to help," he said.

He said he selected the treatment center because of its motto, "We play so others can walk, talk and hear."

"That motto and the fact the treatment center does not turn anyone away is why I'm involved," McCarthy said.

McCarthy also said his wife has had to go though physical therapy several times at ETTC and "that meant something to me."

The tournament starts at 7:30 a.m. Friday and continues through Saturday. Tee times on both Friday and Saturday are 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Meadowbrook County Club.

"We have a full house this year," McCarthy said.

"Seventy-two teams, that's our limit, have signed up for the two-man scramble," he said.

McCarthy said this will be the best year yet for the tournament.

"We've filled 72 teams, have 80 hole sponsors, have a lot of donated prizes and help from Kilgore and Henderson Rotary clubs," he said. "We're taking in more money than we're spending."