Local High School Golfers Honored at 2024 Babe Zaharias Awards
BEAUMONT, TX — The area’s top high school golfers were awarded Tuesday night at the 14th Annual Babe Zaharias High School Junior Golf Awards at 5 Under Golf Center.
*See photos and video below…
A time-honored tradition of the Babe Zaharias Foundation, the banquet recognizes golfers, coaches, and the local golf community’s history and future. Awards were presented for a variety of categories including Player of the Year, Underclassmen of the Year, and Coaches of the Year.
The 2024 finalists and winners are:
Girls Character Award Winner: TIE – Ashley Hale of Bridge City and Hallie Westfall of Hardin-Jefferson
Finalists:
Ava Henson – Deweyville
Lannie McMillon – Kirbyville
.
Girls Underclassmen Character Award: Grace Dai of Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Finalist:
Jordyn Rucker – Orangefield
.
Girls Underclassmen Player of the Year: Erin Eaves of Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Finalist:
Annie Whitehead – Lumberton
.
2024 Girls Player of the Year: Annie Whitehead of Lumberton High School
Finalists:
Tatum Bean – Port Neches Groves
Trinity Smith – East Chambers
Hallie Westfall – Hardin-Jefferson
.
Boys Character Award: Drew Turley of Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Finalists:
Robert Barron – Nederland
Evan Klutts – Port Neches-Groves
.
Boys Underclassmen Character Award: TIE – Reece Williams of Monsignor Kelly Catholic AND Drake Andrepont of Hardin-Jefferson
Finalists:
Foster Cecka – Port Neches-Groves
Chase Ion – Hardin Jefferson
.
Boys Underclassmen Player of the Year: TIE – Foster Cecka of Port Neches-Groves
AND Chase Ion of Hardin-Jefferson
Finalists:
Drake Andrepont – Hardin-Jefferson
Reece Williams – Monsignor Kelly Catholic
.
2024 Boys Player of the Year: Lincoln Parks of Orangefield High School
Finalists:
Travis Atwood – Lumberton
Julian Mathews – Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Jaxon Wolf – Port Neches-Groves
The Boys Golf Coach of the Year is David Wallace, of PNG, and it’s a tie for Girls Coach of the Year—Ashlee Broussard of Orangefield and Darrell Westfall of Hardin-Jefferson.
Sponsored by The Astros Golf Foundation, Trecora, and Wells Fargo Advisors, the banquet at 5 Under Golf Center was hosted by Babe Zaharias Foundation board members Jerry Honza, former PNG Golf coach, and Austin Williams.
The evening included a presentation of the honorees, insightful stories from special guests, and inspiring speeches from a panel of collegiate golf coaches: University of Louisiana’s Men’s Golf Coach, Theo Sliman, and both Mens’ and Women’s Lamar Golf Coaches, Jessie Mudd and Janelle Howland O’Connor.
“This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive, most talented classes of golfers we’ve seen come through and it’s wonderful to have them recognized,” says Austin Williams. “We’re proud and we cannot wait to see what’s ahead for them…and we’re thankful for the coaches and families who continue to impact golf in Southeast Texas.”
The Babe Zaharias Awards began as a way to honor and nurture generations of golf in the local area, and many young golfers have gone on to succeed at the college level.
Past speakers have included the likes of PGA golfer (PNG and Lamar alum), Chris Stroud, Brian White and Giles Kibbe of the Astros Golf Foundation, PGA Championship Winner, Hal Sutton, and more.
Recipients of the award are historically high school junior golfers who have overcome adversity on and off the course, impacted the game in a positive way, displayed integrity and sportsmanship in all aspects of life, and who embody the spirit of the game with success.
The banquet at 5 Under
“This marks the third year for 5 Under Golf Center to host the Zaharias awards banquet, and it’s incredibly rewarding all around,” says Lance LaRue, president of 5 Under. “For us, it’s a pleasure to serve and showcase our spectacular staff and venue…and it’s really a joy to have some of the greatest golfers of multiple generations walk through these doors and help connect Southeast Texas to the golf world.”
5 Under Golf Center proved an ideal setting for the event given the combination of factors. Aside from being centrally located in Southeast Texas and easily accessible off of I-10, the unique environment of golf, dining, and entertainment serves as a thematic stage for the banquet.
5 Under’s indoor Topgolf Swing Suites and outdoor driving range (Toptracer Range) sees many of these young golfers routinely as they work on their game throughout the season, so the venue is a familiar work space. However, the golfers and families get to experience 5 Under in a little different perspective with the catering and full-service as our dining room is transformed to accommodate the near 90 guests for the event. With white and silver table settings, podium and microphone, big screen presentation, and stellar service from our servers, kitchen staff, and more, the venue becomes part country club and part stage for a remarkable ceremony.
Dinner for the banquet included a savory, spicy, colorful pasta jambalaya, our famous blackened catfish with lemon butter cream sauce, and a fresh garden salad.
Congratulations to all the golfers, coaches, and families for a memorable evening and remarkable year. We thank the Babe Zaharias Foundation, the special guests, and all who worked to make this night magical, and we are eager to see great golf continue right here in our community.
For more info on banquets, catering, and full variety of 5 Under’s service and venue, call 409-232-0205 or click here for events!
