The Celina Police Foundation's annual golf tournament drew a record 189 players on Thursday, Sept. 3. The event is on track to raise more than last year's $15,000 for police equipment the city budget doesn't cover.

The third annual Back the Blue Golf Tournament was held at The Bridges Golf Club in Gunter. Last year's proceeds paid for 12 suppressors for the Celina Police Department. A final dollar figure for 2026 was not available as of Sept. 9, but foundation president Debra Davis told the Celina Record the total is expected to surpass that mark.

Mac Haik Chevrolet, which is planning a 100,000-square-foot dealership in Celina, signed on as the event's first platinum sponsor. The tournament also fielded five Celina Police Department foursomes for the first time.

A team representing Crest Cadillac won first place. Celina PD took second. A group of local restaurateurs calling themselves "Taters and Tots" finished third.

The foundation is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) that receives no city or government funding, according to its website. Beyond equipment, it runs a snack station for officers and supports programs including Coloring with Cops, Blue Santa and the upcoming National Night Out on Oct. 6.

Davis, who moved to Celina from Frisco in 2020, attended the Citizens Police Academy in 2021 and joined the foundation board in early 2022. She helped develop the Volunteers in Policing program, which gives academy graduates a chance to assist officers with patrols, community events and administrative tasks.

Davis said the events help residents see officers as neighbors. She described the stakes officers face every shift: "Just getting out of the car to go on a traffic stop could turn deadly in a heartbeat."

One possible use for this year's proceeds is a community vehicle for the Volunteers in Policing program, though plans have not been finalized with Chief John Cullison.

Davis said the foundation is considering moving next year's tournament to spring to avoid the heat.