Crossville, AL & Springdale, AR – D&F Charity Trust is proud to announce the successful completion of its 2024 Golf Classic series, celebrating milestone anniversaries for both of its flagship tournaments. The Arkansas Golf Classic commemorated 10 years of fundraising efforts, while the Alabama Golf Classic marked its 25th year, raising critical funds for educational scholarships and life-saving medical care. Both tournaments exemplify D&F’s mission of doing “Whatever it Takes” to offer community support and philanthropic impact, with over $2 million raised in the history of the golf classics.
Under the leadership of Matt Dura, Director of the D&F Charity Golf Classics, this year’s events were monumental not only for their longevity but for the lasting effects they continue to have on their beneficiaries. “Our Golf Classics have always been about more than just golf,” said Dura. “They’re about changing lives, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our sponsors and community members.”
Arkansas Golf Classic – 10 Years of Impact
The 10th Annual Arkansas Golf Classic, held on May 23rd at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers, AR, brought together golfers, sponsors, and local university representatives for a day of fun and purpose. The event raised funds to support the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Annually, two scholarships are awarded to students at the Dale Bumpers College The Logan F. Knox Award and the D&F Equipment Award are presented to deserving students that are pursuing degrees in agriculture, ensuring the future of this critical industry.
Additionally, $8,000 was donated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, supporting both the Angel One Patient Transport System and the Nephrology Department, with $4,000 being awarded to each. Highlighting the event was the attendance of Beau Henshall, an 8-year-old Arkansas Children’s Hospital Ambassador whose life was saved after a battle with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Beau’s story, one of survival and resilience, deeply resonated with event attendees and served as a reminder of the far-reaching impact D&F Charity Trust has on families in need of life-saving care. “We are honored to support Arkansas Children’s Hospital, helping families like Beau’s access the care they need when they need it most,” said Dura.
Alabama Golf Classic – 25 Years of Transforming Lives
On September 6th, the 25th Annual Alabama Golf Classic took place at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes, celebrating a quarter-century of charitable giving. This year’s event highlighted D&F Charity Trust’s long-standing partnerships with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, while also stepping in to support other key philanthropic initiatives.
Grayson Gladden, a young man with intellectual disabilities and the first student from Marshall County to attend Auburn University’s EAGLES program, delivered an emotional impact speech that left attendees inspired. The EAGLES program provides students with disabilities a college experience focused on independent living and workforce skills, and D&F Charity Trust has been pivotal in providing the financial resources needed for Grayson to pursue his dream. The EAGLES program is additional to the standard tuition costs, and must be paid out of pocket, so a private scholarship has allowed Grayson to go off to college, live independently as a typical college student, maintain various campus jobs, and pursue a future when he will have opportunity and self-sufficiency.
Grayson’s heartfelt words underscored the transformative power of community support. “Because of you, I will have a better life,” Grayson said. Living independently at college, thriving, and working toward a career, Grayson continued, “Speaking as Marshall County’s first EAGLE, I wanted to let you know that [people who] D&F supports do not let our disabilities define us. Thank you for believing in me.”
A Legacy of Giving
D&F Charity Trust’s Golf Classics have become more than just tournaments—they’ve become annual celebrations of generosity, community spirit, agricultural education, and life-changing impact. Over the last 10 and 25 years, these events have cumulatively raised over $2 million, providing scholarships for students pursuing agriculture degrees and aiding children in critical need of medical care.
From the custom championship belts awarded to the winning teams to the special 3D floating logo that adorned the lake at the Alabama tournament, this year’s events embodied both celebration and purpose. “These tournaments demonstrate the power of community and the difference we can make when we come together for a common goal,” said Dura. “Every donation, every partnership, and every participant helps us change lives.”
As D&F Charity Trust continues its mission, it remains deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to the success of these tournaments. The generosity of donors, corporate partners, and participants ensures that the legacy of giving will continue to grow, providing critical resources for years to come.
About D&F Equipment Sales:
D&F Equipment Sales, Inc. is an equipment manufacturer and engineering supplier, committed to doing “Whatever it Takes” to convey custom-engineered solutions for the poultry, meat and prepared foods industries. Starting from a toolbox and a pickup truck, today, D&F operates over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space across two locations in Alabama and Arkansas, employing more than 300 skilled professionals.
About D&F Charity Trust:
D&F Charity Trust is the philanthropic arm of D&F Equipment Sales, headquartered in Crossville, AL, and Springdale, AR. Since its founding, the Charity has been dedicated to supporting education, healthcare, and community initiatives through various fundraising efforts, including its annual Golf Classics. With a focus on agricultural scholarships and supporting families in need of medical care, D&F Charity Trust strives to make a lasting difference in the communities it serves.
