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By Hailey Estes
LOVE & LEGACY: REMEMBERING GENE SILLER
Gene Siller tragically passed at Pinetree Country Club. Almost one year later, his legacy of service lives on. TRAGEDY ROCKS THE GEORGIA GOLF COMMUNITY On July 3, 2021, Gene Siller was murdered on the tenth hole of Pinetree Country Club where he served as Director of Golf. When his staff alerted him of a white pickup truck near the tenth green, he was the first to investigate. In a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Siller encountered a crime in progress and was shot and killed. A humble, generous and wellloved man, Siller’s death was felt throughout the golf world. His wife, Ashley, was determined to preserve his legacy for their two sons to remember their father. 40
Ashley Siller addresses participants at the first annual Gene Siller Red Pants Memorial Golf Tournament.
THE GENE SILLER MEMORIAL GRANT Immediately following Gene’s death, the Siller Family received an outpouring of support. A GoFundMe campaign set up by Pinetree Country Club member Dianne McPherson raised thousands of dollars to support Gene’s family. Ashley was adamant that the funds should be used to share Gene’s love for golf and commitment to mentorship. Out of a tragedy, the Gene Siller Memorial Grant was born. The Gene Siller Memorial Grant or “Red Pants Grant”, an homage to Gene’s flashy wardrobe and the red pants he wore on the day
his passing, was established to provide financial assistance to Georgia-based junior golfers. The grant seeks to support underserved youth looking to learn, play and compete in golf. In the first year of the grant’s existence, over 20 juniors applied to receive the inaugural grants which will be awarded in June of 2022. The Siller Family looks forward to award multiple $3,000 grants to support the golf pursuits of several Georgia youth.
GET INVOLVED For more information on the Gene Siller Memorial Grant, follow the grant on Facebook and Instagram @genesillergrant or email Foundation Manager Hailey Estes at hestes@pgahq.com. Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 2
