Tarleton’s J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament unites Texans across generations

BY AVERY HARR

Multimedia Journalist

The Tarleton State University community teed off homecoming week in true Texan fashion as alumni, students, faculty and local supporters gathered for the annual J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament at Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose, Texas.

The tournament, a long-standing Tarleton tradition, kicked off a weekend of celebration that honors the university’s history and the Texans who helped shape it. With a field filled with purple polos and plenty of friendly competition, this year’s event proved once again that the Texan spirit extends far beyond campus borders.

A tradition that endures

The J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament is more than a game, it’s a homecoming in itself. Named in honor of J. Dixon White, a devoted supporter of Tarleton athletics and academics, the event brings together generations of Texans who share a love for both the game and the university.

For many, the tournament symbolizes the perfect start to homecoming week, an early morning filled with laughter, competition and connection.

“This tournament is something our alumni look forward to every single year,” Campus Recreation assistant director Mackenzie Sloan said. “It’s a day to celebrate Tarleton pride, reconnect with friends and enjoy a little competition on one of the best courses in Texas.”

Check-in opened at 8 a.m., with teams greeting one another and catching up before heading to their assigned holes. The shotgun start at 10 a.m. sent carts rolling in every direction, each team ready to take on 18 holes of golf and plenty of bragging rights.

Competition meets camaraderie

The six-person scramble format created a blend of competition and camaraderie that defines the Tarleton experience. Teams strategized, celebrated clutch putts and laughed off the occasional missed shot, all while embodying the same teamwork and grit that Texans show on the field and in the classroom.

“Even if you’re not a serious golfer, this tournament is one of the most enjoyable events of the year,” Sloan said. “It’s about the people and the memories more than the score.”

Players participated in Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contests, with winners taking home prizes sponsored by local businesses. Between swings, the sound of laughter echoed across the fairways, punctuated by shouts of “bleed purple!” and friendly rivalry among teams of alumni, faculty and students.

Senior kinesiology major Ethan Morales said the relaxed format was what made the event so special.

“You don’t have to be great at golf to enjoy it,” Morales said. “You just have to love Tarleton. Everyone out here supports each other. It’s like a family reunion with golf clubs.”

A setting steeped in Texas beauty

Set against the rolling hills of Glen Rose, Squaw Valley Golf Course provided a scenic backdrop for the day. As the morning mist lifted, sunlight poured over the greens, revealing a perfect fall day for golf and Tarleton pride.

The natural beauty of the course mirrored the spirit of the event: calm, welcoming and deeply rooted in Texas tradition.

“It’s hard not to feel proud when you’re surrounded by that much purple out here,” alumnus David Lindsey said. “You look around and realize how far this university has come and how much it still means to people.”

More than a tournament

For Tarleton, events like the J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament goes beyond sport; they’re about community. The proceeds from the tournament support Campus Recreation programs, which promote student wellness, leadership and lifelong fitness.

“This tournament helps us give back to the students who represent what Tarleton stands for,” Sloan said. “It’s a tradition that supports the next generation of Texans, both on campus and beyond.”

Local sponsors also played a vital role in the event’s success, with businesses from Stephenville and surrounding areas contributing prizes, signage and support. Their involvement underscored the close connection between Tarleton and the broader Texas community.

The heart of Homecoming

Following the tournament, participants returned to the clubhouse to enjoy lunch, check scores and share stories. Winners were recognized during the closing ceremony, but the highlight of the day wasn’t the leaderboard; it was the spirit of togetherness.

“The golf tournament sets the tone for the entire weekend,” said Sloan. “It’s a reminder that Homecoming is about the connection between alumni, students and the university that brought us all together.”

As teams packed up their clubs and headed back to Stephenville, many made plans to attend the evening’s Alumni Welcome Home Social and the L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire, two hallmark events that carry the same energy and tradition found on the fairways earlier that day.

A bridge between past and present

The J. Dixon White tournament has become a living link between Tarleton’s history and its future. Alumni from across the state and even beyond return each year to play alongside current students, forming friendships that extend well past the 18th hole.

“You meet people who graduated decades apart, but you can feel that same pride and connection,” said Lindsey. “That’s what makes Tarleton unique; our traditions never fade.”

For first-time participants, it was a glimpse into a legacy that runs deep. For returning players, it was another chapter in a long-standing story of purple pride and perseverance.

Looking ahead

As Tarleton continues to grow, the J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament remains a cornerstone of what it means to be a Texan rooted in tradition, driven by connection and fueled by pride.

With plans already in motion for next year’s event, Campus Recreation hopes to expand the tournament’s reach even further, welcoming new faces to the Tarleton family while honoring the legacy of those who came before.

“This event embodies what it means to be part of the Tarleton community,” Sloan said. “It’s about family, tradition and the shared love of being a Texan.”

From the first drive off the tee to the final handshake on the 18th green, the J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament captured everything that makes Tarleton State University special: a community of champions, bound by pride and strengthened by tradition.