On Saturday, March 31, a very special golfing event honoring an outstanding late young man will be held at the Donalsonville Country Club on Highway 39 South.

I’m talking about the seventh annual Deltrice Riles Memorial Sports Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament.

Deltrice, the son of Gary Riles and the nephew of former Major League Baseball player and Decatur County Sports Hall of Famer Earnie Riles, lost his life in a trucking accident. He was a strong performer for the Bearcats baseball and football teams during his Bainbridge High School career.

Funds raised during the six years of the golf tournament have enabled many BHS student athletes to continue their education at the college level.

The tournament entry fee is $50 and the tournament will get under way at 8:30 a.m. It will be played under a two-man scramble format with each player playing his second shot from the spot of the longest drive.

Individuals and businesses can sponsor holes for $125.

Anyone desiring more information about the tournament can call Gary Riles at (229) 515-0023.

I had the pleasure of covering both Gary and Earnie during their outstanding Bearcats baseball careers.

One of my most exciting assignments as a sports writer came when Earnie was a rookie shortstop with the Milwaukee Brewers.

I scheduled my vacation that summer so I could be in New Jersey visiting my cousins when the Brewers were playing the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium.

My former publisher and dear friend Sam Griffin called and got me press credentials for one of the games. My cousins Bill and Tom Collins drove me in to the stadium.

That night I had credentials to the press box, the field and both locker rooms at Yankee Stadium.

Before leaving I interviewed Earnie and visited both locker rooms. It was one of the most exciting nights of my life.

I go back a long way with the Riles family and they are very special to me.

I urge all my golfing friends to take part in the tournament to benefit the Deltrice Riles Memorial Sports Scholarship Fund. It is a great cause that benefits young scholars and young athletes.

Joe Crine is the sports editor of The Post-Searchlight. You can email him at joe.crine@thepostsearchlight.com.