3rd Annual Patriot Golf Day

Best Practices Submitted By PGA Professionals

Across the country, PGA Professionals are using a number of methods to promote Patriot Golf Day to raise funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation. You are encouraged to review the “best practices” listed below and adopt a practice for your facility. The 3rdAnnual Patriot Golf Days is scheduled for September 4-7, 2009.

PGA Village in Port St. Lucie will once again host the national Opening Ceremonies celebration for the 3rd Annual Patriot Golf Day Weekend at the PGA Golf Club. Activities include: the Opening Ceremonies, John Shimkonis Memorial Medal Golf Tournament benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation, Kevin Compare Golf Trick Shot Show and a Flag Day Tournament on Saturday as well as a 3-Hole Red, White and Blue Glow-in-the-Dark Golf Tournament on Friday at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance; and an opportunity to receive a 10-minute golf lesson, club fitting and fitness evaluation at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance for a $10 donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Bob Hickman, PGA director of Golf, Old Greenwood; Ed McGargill, PGA head professional, Coyote Moon: These two facilities, located in Truckee, Calif., are offering golfers the opportunity to play their courses from Aug. 31-Sept. 7 for $280. $10 from every round played at each course will be donated to the Foldof Honor Foundation. Cash donations will also be accepted. Theoffer was sent via e-mail to their past golfer database.

Jane Broderick, PGA director of golf, PGA National Golf Club: The resort is inviting active Military to stay at the facility September 4- 6. In conjunction with that offer, we will be offering special golf rates to active Military with $5 per round being donated to Patriot Golf Day. The promotion will run September 4- 7.

Tennessee PGA Section will host a Patriot Golf Day Play Golf America Day on Monday, Sept. 7 to from 12-2 p.m at Golf House Tennessee in Franklin, Tenn. Active military personnel and families are invited to come from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., before the event opens to the public at noon.

David Bortz and Troy Onink (Volunteer), Cable Hollow Golf Club: Aspecial event will be held on Sept. 5. At noon, the horn will blow to stop play. An honor guard will lower the flag to half mast. Depending on available personnel, a gun salute may be given. Buglers will then blow echo taps starting at the first tee and cascading from hole to hole throughout the entire course. When the echo taps has returned to the first tee a brief scholarship award presentation will be made to a recipient on behalf of the Folds of Honor Foundation.The flag will then be raised, and the horn will blow to resume play.

Facility is also offering a 30-minute group golf lesson on the driving range, with donations going to Folds of Honor. There will be a silent auction in the clubhouse. Various active duty and reserve military personnel will be on hand. All military organizations in the region are being notified along with media. The Vice Commander of the National AMVETS will be attending, and the list of supporters is growing by the hour.

Illinois PGA Section will again kick-off Patriot Golf Day in conjunction with the 87th Illinois PGA Championship/PGA Professional National Championship, Aug. 31-Sept 2 at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake. During the first round of the Championship, all competitors will be asked to make a voluntary donation at registration. Contributions will also be accepted through subsequent rounds, and at the conclusion of the Championship, the Illinois PGA will match all funds donated by its members.