Thanks to Andrew Landry and his caddie, Terry Walker, the second Christmas without their beloved Austyn promises to be more bearable and joyous for Sarah and Josh Halter of Groves.

Four-year-old Austyn, as so many in Southeast Texas are aware, passed away in August of 2017 after a two-year battle with a rare form of leukemia. She had become linked to Landry after the big splash made by the pro golfer from her hometown in the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Landry, an unknown on the PGA Tour at the time, quickly cashed in on his remarkable Open showing with a Moonshine Sweet Tea endorsement. Made aware of Austyn’s plight from visiting St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, he promptly showed the size of his heart by giving the endorsement money to the Halters.

Later he would start a GoFundMe campaign for Austyn that raised $27,000. It would hit both he and Walker like the proverbial ton of bricks when she lost her brave battle. They vowed never to forget her and have stuck to the vow.

Landry’s golf bag that Walker carries is stamped with #AustynStrong.

Fast forward to Dec. 13 at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches.

Landry, who had never met the Halters in person, texted them that he was going to be in town for a visit with his family, and would love to meet with them at the cemetery where Austyn is buried.

He and Walker hugged the Halters, made some small talk, then stunned them by presenting a Carnvial Cruise for two anywhere in the world, good for anytime in 2019. Included was an envelope with $1,000 from each of them for spending money on the trip.

The golfer and the caddie had won the cruise through a PGA Caddies for St. Jude fundraiser that saw blow past what any other PGA duo managed. They took the money they raised, made a donation to St. Jude’s hospital in Austyn’s name, then arranged for the cruise to be put in the Halters’ name.

As you can imagine, the scene in the cemetery got emotional in a hurry.

“We were just speechless, just super surprised,” said Sarah. “I couldn’t stop crying. Josh didn’t know what to say. Andrew and Terry were both in tears. It was so special because Austyn got to be there too.

“It was not only the gift, but the fact that two people who had never met Austyn were still raising money in her honor. It just means so much, because our mission is to continue to support that. Saying ‘thank you’ to Andrew will never be enough. He is an incredible, caring person.”

Landry, more sensitive than ever to the Halters’ loss now that he’s a father, says the scene in the cemetery was one he will always remember.

“It was a cool moment to finally meet them and to tell them we are going to continue raising money in Austyn’s name and to keep raising awareness,” he said. “And it was a great feeling to bring them some joy at what has to be a tough time with Christmas coming up.

“The moment was truly special for Terry and for me. Once we got involved in that fundraising competition, it was like we were on a mission. We were committed to getting that cruise for Josh and Sarah to give them a chance to get away and really enjoy themselves.”

It should be noted that Walker was sort of a latecomer to this story. He didn’t hook on as Landry’s caddie until just before Andrew went back out on the Web.com Tour in 2017. He learned how deep Landry’s feelings for Austyn were by seeing his profound grief after word of her death in August.

That prompted Walker to get involved, and the depth of his caring is beautifully told in a story he authored for the Caddie Network. Google Terry Walker Caddie Network to read it. You will be glad you did. It is not only compelling, there are some terrific photos of Austyn.

For Landry, meanwhile, his gift to the Halters put the perfect finishing touch on a storybook 2018 he probably can’t duplicate.

He won his first PGA tournament, celebrated the birth of his first child, played well enough to earn over $2.5 million and validated himself as a caring human being with a Christmas act of kindness that will never be forgotten.   

CHIP SHOTS

It was another week of limited games, due to heavy rain.

In the Monday Senior 50 Plus 2 ball at Zaharias, the team of Kenny Robbins,

Lee Bertrand, John LeBlanc and Paul Duplantis won the front with plus 1. On

the back, the foursome of Bob Byerly, Cap Hollier, Dillard Darbonne and Dwayne

Benoit prevailed at minus 1 …

The Wednesday DogFight at Zaharias ended in tie. Posting 15 points was the team of Ed Holley, Hollier, Ron Mistrot and LeBlanc and the team of Robbins, Raymond Darbonne, Butch Cross and Roy Martinez.

Closest to the pin winners were Darbonne (No. 2) and Hollier (No. 15).

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