LEE COUNTY (June 8, 2026) – The fifth annual Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches (ALSYR) Memorial Children’s Charity Golf Classic was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Saugahatchee Country Club in Opelika, AL.
This annual golf tournament is held in honor of the 8 children who lost their lives in a tragic automobile accident on I-65 on June 19, 2021. Isabella, Ben, Haley, Josiah, Nicholas, Dana, Makenzie, and Tia are greatly missed by their families, friends, and ALSYR. A memorial for these children stands at the Tallapoosa Girls Ranch in Camp Hill, AL.
This year’s tournament had 28 teams and generated over $45,000. Of those 28 teams, many were first responder teams including Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Opelika Police Department, and Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
The first-place teams for Perfect Service Heating & Air (Gross) and Houston County Sheriff’s Office (Net), will play in a year-end Tournament of Champions in Gulf Shores, AL, against the winning teams from other ALSYR golf tournaments throughout the state.
ALSYR would like to extend a special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Sheriff Heath Taylor – Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Soules Foods, Kia of Auburn, PH&J Architects, and Glynn Smith Chevrolet.
They would also like to extend a thank you to the area Sheriffs for their assistance with this tournament: Sheriff Jay Jones – Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jeff Nelson – Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Heath Taylor – Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
About the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches
The Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches is a 501(c)(3), non-profit Christian organization that provides safe, loving homes for at-risk children throughout Alabama. Starting with one Boys Ranch in 1966, Alabama’s Sheriffs provided a safe haven and surrogate family for boys who were in crises situations.
There are now four ranch locations, Baldwin County & St. Clair County boys ranches, and Colbert County & Tallapoosa County girls ranches. Each of the four ranches provides the children in their care with a structured, loving environment. The children attend local churches and schools in their communities, and they share in household duties and chores on the ranches. The ranches operate almost entirely through funds donated by individuals and corporations, as well as income from special events and grants.
