The family and friends of the late Hunter Creel of Hardin have organized two special events to commemorate his life and support a meaningful cause. The “Pretty Ricky Classic” golf tournament and steak dinner are scheduled to take place later this month, aiming to raise funds for a memorial scholarship fund benefiting graduates of Liberty County high schools.
The golf tournament, set for Saturday, April 27, at the Liberty Municipal Golf Course, has garnered significant interest, with teams quickly filling up the slots. Organizers have highlighted the need for additional sponsors to ensure the success of the event. The tournament, adopting a two-man scramble format, will require a team entry fee of $250, with tee times varying to accommodate the participation of up to 72 teams (144 players).
The title sponsor for the tournament is Big E-Z Crawfish and Oysters, a well-known restaurant in Huntsville, Texas, owned by Hardin native Eric Van Dorn. Additionally, opportunities for tournament sponsorships at $1,000 and hole sponsorships at $500 are still available.
The “Pretty Ricky Classic” is dedicated to the memory of Hunter E. Creel, who tragically passed away in a car accident at the age of 21. Hunter’s parents, Gordon Creel and Jennifer Flowers, alongside their friends and family members, have united to orchestrate this event.
The scholarship fund, named after Creel, aims to support students pursuing careers in process technology or instrumentation technology. At the time of his passing, Hunter Creel, who was a graduate of Lee College and held an associates degree in Process Technology, worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical, where he garnered the nickname of “Pretty Ricky.”
Describing the mission of the tournament, organizers emphasized their commitment to ensuring Creel’s legacy lives on by providing assistance to students throughout Southeast Texas.
In addition to the golf tournament, a steak dinner is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, at the Liberty Elks Lodge, 650 Wallisville Road (FM 563), Liberty. Priced at $44 per ticket – the same as Creel’s football jersey number when he played for the Hardin Hornets – the meal will include a beef steak, baked potato, sides, and a drink. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, live music, and a washer/cornhole tournament with prizes.
“We are looking for live and silent auction items for the steak dinner,” said Gordon Creel, encouraging donations to be directed to Tammie Wingfield at Maci Feed Store in Hardin.
For more information on sponsoring the Pretty Ricky Classic or to sign up a team to play, go online to: https://events.golfstatus.com/event/the-pretty-ricky-classic/details/registration-details. At that link, you can also make a direct donation to the scholarship fund.
Other questions should be directed to Gordon Creel by calling 936-402-3156 or Jennifer Flowers by calling 936-334-2314.