Furnitureland South, along with honorary co-chairs Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, presented the inaugural A. Darrell Harris Memorial Golf Tournament on September 29, at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC.
Sponsored by North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank, the golf tournament honoring Furnitureland South’s founder was preceded by a gala on September 28, with both events expected to raise more than $250,000 for Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
“With the support of the Nicklauses and event sponsors, we have the opportunity to honor our founder, while also providing a way to significantly impact these children’s charities through a substantial contribution of proceeds from the Gala and the Tournament,” said Jeff Harris, son of Darrell Harris and president of Furnitureland South.
The sport of golf has long-time ties to Furnitureland South. When Harold Moose, a 20-year Furnitureland South employee, initially introduced Jack and Barbara Nicklaus to the world’s largest furniture store, he made sure that it was an exceptional experience. Over the past two decades, Furnitureland South has become the unofficial home furnishings resource for the PGA Tour, through the relationships built through Moose.
“We are delighted and honored to be involved in a tournament that pays tribute to a great man, husband, father, grandfather and friend,” said Jack and Barbara. “By creating an event that will help children in their community and beyond, Jeff, Jason, Harold and the Furnitureland South team are not only honoring Mr. Harris’ legacy, they are furthering it.”
Although golf is typically viewed as an individual sport, Mr. Harris was happiest when playing Captain’s Choice or scramble team golf, because of the emphasis on fun, relaxed competition that engages every team member. According to family members, his preference in golf mirrors his approach to both personal and business relationships. For 25 years, the organization has hosted an annual Furnitureland South Invitational tournament in the North Carolina mountains to provide employees, vendors and business colleagues an opportunity to create and strengthen relationships. In a tribute to Mr. Harris, this tournament has been renamed the A. Darrell Harris Memorial Golf Tournament.
Twenty-five teams composed of Harris family members, friends, Furnitureland South vendors and furniture manufacturers registered for the tournament. The participation, which is at maximum capacity, speaks to the value that Mr. Harris placed on establishing relationships with business colleagues and community members.
“Our family is overwhelmed with the support we’ve had to honor our father,” said Jeff Harris, “Of all his lifetime achievements, Dad was always most thankful to be in a position of helping others. This event will be a way for that legacy to continue for many years.”
Darrell Harris and his late wife, Stella, established Furnitureland South in High Point, N.C., in 1969. Today, it is the world’s largest furniture store, drawing customers from around the globe to its 1.3 million-square-foot showroom, which showcases the finest names in furniture. However, size and merchandise quality are not the only ways that Mr. Harris wanted his store to stand apart, as Furnitureland South employs 150 design consultants who work individually with customers, as a complimentary service, to help them select themes, colors and furniture pieces that are a perfect fit for any lifestyle. During Mr. Harris’ lifetime, the company sold more than $3.5 billion worth of home furnishings, with both himself and the company receiving numerous recognitions and awards, including membership into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame.
