Gathering at the picturesque, par-3 ninth hole a the BrookhavenCountry Club, friends and family of the late Ben Spearman werepresent Tuesday morning for a dedication ceremony. The ninth holewas dedicated in memory of Spearman, a longtime devotee of golf anda fervent supporter of the Brookhaven Country Club.

The dedication speech was delivered by Tommy Brady, a former BCCclub champion who played numerous rounds of golf with Spearman.

“Ben joined the Brookhaven Country Club in 1946 and remained amember until March 10, 2008. He loved the game of golf and he lovedto play the game of golf. Ben always was a fierce competitor andfought hard for the 50-cent rabbit.

“I was privileged to play golf with Ben for 40 years. I don’tknow how many thousands of rounds he played here or how many 10,000or more practice balls he hit, but they were numerous.

“Ben loved the Brookhaven Country Club. He served as presidentseveral times. He was chairman of the greens committee on numerousoccasions. The greens committee was responsible for the upkeep ofthe golf course. He spent countless hours working on the course andkept the rest of us doing our part. He was very proud of theBrookhaven Country Club.

“Not only did Ben work on the course himself, he helped financework on the course when it was needed.

“Golf is a gentleman’s game, and Ben was the perfect example ofwhat it meant.

“This dedication is a tribute to a tireless worker, a followerof the rules of golf and the rules of life, a good golfer, and agreat gentleman and my best friend.

“This ninth hole will be a constant reminder of how much Benloved the game of golf.”

In attendance were Brady and his wife, Frances; Ralph Peeples,Bob Massengill, Paul Henning, Don Driskell, Sha Walker, PhyllisSpearman, Wil and Pam Spearman Womack, and Terry Spearman