A Legacy That Lasts: The Val Eason Memorial Golf Tournament Surpasses $100,000 for Texas Children
- Variety Texas
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Nearly 20 years ago, Cole Eason set out to honor his father.
What began as the Val Eason Memorial Golf Tournament, held each year during Val's birthday month, became much more than a day on the golf course. It became a tradition of generosity, bringing together friends, neighbors, local businesses, and golfers from across the community to create brighter futures for Texas children with disabilities.
Like many great traditions, it didn't start with instant success.
The first tournament actually lost $500.
Rather than walking away, Cole chose to keep going. He set an ambitious goal: raise $100,000 to help Texas children with disabilities through Variety Texas. Year after year, he returned to the course with the same determination, growing the tournament one sponsor, one golfer, and one supporter at a time.
By 2025, that goal was finally within reach.
When a longtime Variety Texas donor heard Cole's story and learned how close he was to reaching his milestone, they made an extraordinary commitment: they would match every dollar raised during the tournament's final year.
Throughout the summer, Cole and his son visited businesses throughout Temple, Belton, and Salado, inviting their community to be part of something bigger than a golf tournament. Local businesses stepped up to sponsor teams and donate prizes.
The final Val Eason Memorial Golf Tournament raised $12,500, bringing the tournament's lifetime impact to nearly $110,000 for Texas children with disabilities.
Every dollar raised will help fund Heart of Variety grants that provide adaptive equipment, mobility devices, communication tools, therapy, and other individualized resources that help children participate more fully in everyday life.
Last year, Variety Texas recognized Cole's extraordinary dedication with the Texan of the Year Impact Award, honoring nearly two decades of volunteer leadership and unwavering commitment to children and families in Bell County and across Texas.
While this may have been the final tournament, its legacy will continue for years to come. Every child who receives a Heart of Variety grant carries forward the generosity that began with one son's desire to honor his father.
To Cole, the Eason family, every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, prize donor, and community partner who made this journey possible: thank you.
Your generosity transformed a memorial into a movement, and a simple round of golf into nearly $110,000 of opportunity, independence, and inclusion for Texas children with disabilities.
That is a legacy worth celebrating.
Inspired by Cole's story? You can help fund the next round of Heart of Variety grants. Volunteer, sponsor, or donate through Variety Texas.
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