Kathy Whitworth. Photo by Mike Lewis.

The late Byron Nelson, long the official cheerleader for Metroport Meals on Wheels’ Golf Tournament, could never be replaced.

The beloved icon served for years and years as honorary chairman of the annual golf tournament for the organization (www.metroportmow.org), helping make it the big success that it is. A picture with him was a big draw, making the fundraiser an annual sell-out. When he died in 2006, it was a huge loss in many ways, including to Metroport Meals on Wheels’ annual event.

Well, now another big name golfer is teeing off as honorary chair. Kathy Whitworth, named LPGA Player of the Year seven times and Associated Press Athlete of the Year twice, took the honors this year for Metroport Meals on Wheels. She was among those at the Sunday night dinner preceding the golf tournament, and then she was spotlighted at the tournament the next day.

The Tee-off Dinner, chaired by Sandy King, was a great way to kick off the fundraiser, in part because Rick Stacy was pretty darn funny as the auctioneer.

Some things don’t change, and evidently there are lots of kids who still want to grow up to be a firefighter or a police officer. A day spent eating at the station, riding in a fire truck or visiting the jail–buyer’s choice–was a hot auction item at the fundraising dinner. The Southlake Department of Safety and Chief Robert Finn donated the special outing for a child, and eventually the chief made it an offer for two. Ring the bell on that firetruck–he agreed to donate two special days, and two were sold at $5,000 a piece.  

And did you hear about the dog who got to stay for dinner? Nitro, a 12-week-old llewellin setter, was the honored guest at pre-tournament dinner. This one was not the usual puppy you see being cradled in someone’s arms before the live auction; Nitro was on a leash and wagging his tail to be taken home.

Dinner was a Southwestern salad, margarita chicken and key lime pie, which went over well with the crowd. Singer Cody Jinks’ concert followed dinner but with tee times early the next day, not too many stayed to boot scoot.

Still golf tournament chairwoman Debbie Vinson wasn’t worried. She knew the auction had made enough money that she could go home happy whether boots scooted or not.