The Tristyn Bailey Foundation brought the community together once again for its annual golf tournament and family day, honoring the legacy of the beloved Durbin Crossing teen.
Held at St. Johns Golf & Country Club, the event welcomed more than 400 attendees who gathered to celebrate Tristyn’s life, raise funds, and enjoy a day filled with games, music, and heartfelt tributes.
A Day of Celebration and Remembrance
The event kicked off with a performance of the National Anthem by the band Better Days, followed by a prayer and a helicopter flyover by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Rob Hardwick then took a ceremonial tee shot to launch the tournament.
Throughout the day, guests participated in:
- Golf matches
- Cornhole competitions
- Bouncy house fun for kids
- Live broadcasts by 1010XL radio hosts Dan Hicken & Jeff Prosser
- K-9 demonstrations by the SJSO
Tristyn’s father, Forrest Bailey, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support.
“It’s special for all of these folks to come together,” he said. “It means a lot to us, it really does.”
Keeping Tristyn’s Spirit Alive
Foundation president Matt Hinson, a close friend of the Bailey family, emphasized the importance of celebrating Tristyn’s kindness and inclusivity.
“The foundation is about focusing on Tristyn’s life and legacy, not how she died,” Hinson said. “She was all about kindness, doing the right thing, and befriending those who needed a friend.”
The event raised over $30,000 to support the foundation’s mission of spreading kindness, positivity, and community engagement.
Honoring Tristyn’s Love for Cheer
One of the day’s highlights was a special performance by Storm, an all-star cheerleading group, honoring Tristyn’s passion for the sport.
Local leaders, including State Attorney R.J. Larizza, prosecutor Jennifer Dunton, and Judge Kenneth Janesk, also participated in the festivities, reinforcing the community’s support for the foundation’s mission.
Hinson summed up the event’s spirit:
“It was exactly how Tristyn would want it—families and friends coming together to enjoy each other and our community.”