Top PGA golfers tee-up to support veterans with “Birdies for the Brave,” a free greens admission and golf lessons to active duty military, Guard, Reserve and retired military and their families at PGA Tour, champions Tour and Web.com Tour events across the country. The latest course to host the military families was the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour, headquartered in the plush green and its exceptional military outreach program.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia visited Tournament Players Club Sawgrass to meet officials from “Birdies for the Brave,” which offers complimentary admission, lessons and more for active duty, Guard and Reserve and retired service members and their families at select PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Web.com Tour events.
The PGA Tour public relations and community outreach director John Flaschner, listed the nine military homefront groups that Birdies for the Brave and PGA Tour players fundraising efforts are supporting this year. The groups and players for 2014 are:
- Phil Mickelson: Homes for Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation;
- Corey Pavin: Operation Homefront;
- Jerry Kelly, Vijay Singh and Frank Lickliter II: Navy SEAL Foundation;
- Rory Sabbatini: United Through Reading;
- Ted Purdy and David Toms: Military Warriors Support Foundation;
- Bubba Watson: Green Beret Foundation;
- David Duval and Bob Duval: K9s for Warriors; and
- Rod Pampling: Feherty’s Troops First Foundation.
In 2012 the White House’s Joining Forces initiative recognized Birdies for the Brave as one of the U.S.’s top military-friendly charities. “Our entire mission is just to say ‘thank you’ to military men, women and their families,” said Flascher.
The organization was created by pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy for troops who came home with combat injuries. At the time, Mickelson pledged $100 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle he made during his tour to the Homes for Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior foundations.
Now, Birdies for the Brave is in 32 of the 45 PGA Tour tournaments as well as six tournaments each at the Web.com and Champions tours. The PGA Tour has over 100 tournaments within three tours that include the Web.com Tour for young, rising players and the Champions Tour for players ages 50 and above.
And Birdies for the Brave is at 32 tournaments out of 45 on the PGA Tour, with a presence of six each on the Web.com and the Champions tours, Flaschner said. “Our goal by 2018 is to have a presence at all of these tournaments.”
Partner organizations include Operation Shower, a St. Louis charity out that coordinates with base ombudsmen and local stores to host surprise baby showers for pregnant mothers whose husbands are out of the area. Operation shower donates cribs, dressers and other essential baby items.
Battaglia applauded Birdies for the Brave pairing top-level athletes with military veterans and their families. Flaschner said he was also inspired to do something for service members who inspired others with their commitment to freedom and bravery.
Flaschner added, “Whether it’s mortgage-free home donations to wounded service members and their families or the donation of service dogs to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, our fundraising events have raised more than $13 million for military homefront charities that directly benefit military members and their families. To see their gratitude for us when they’ve given so much is just overwhelming.”
By Lynn Goya
5-13-2014
Lynn Goya is a regional best-selling author and Emmy-nominated writer who covers business, people, the environment, and families for regional, national and international publications including USA Today, Audubon and Outdoor Family. With many family members in the military, including an uncle who was a POW in WW II, she has long been an advocate for military men and women.