PGA GOLF CLUB TO HOST 4th ANNUAL PATRIOT GOLF DAY OPENING CEREMONIES
Grand Marshals PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka; Maj. Ed Pulido and Ginger Gilbert Ravella to speak; St. Lucie Mets to Auction Special Patriot Golf Day Uniforms for Folds of Honor Foundation
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. – PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will once again host the Opening Ceremonies celebration for the 4th Annual Patriot Golf Day Weekend at the PGA Golf Club on Sat., Sept. 4, at 8 a.m. Patriot Golf Day events, held at golf courses nationwide from Sept. 3-6 (Fri.-Mon.) raise funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military servicemen and women killed or disabled while serving our country. Since 2007, more than $5.3 million has been raised and over 1,160 scholarships provided due to this generous support.
“It is an honor to once again host the Patriot Golf Day celebration at PGA Golf Club this Labor Day Weekend,” said Bob Baldassari, PGA Village general manager, which includes the PGA Golf Club, PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance and the PGA Historical Center, and is ranked among the “75 Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Digest. “Patriot Golf Day will be a very special event, as we once again raise funds for the families of those who have given everything. We invite everyone out to PGA Golf Club to make a difference for our American heroes and join the fun.”
Patriot Golf Day Weekend activities include: the Opening Ceremonies, John Shimkonis Memorial Medal Golf Tournament, Dennis Walters Golf Trick Shot Show, Marines Corps run, Florida National Guard Interactive Kids Zone, and a Junior Golf Carnival at PGA Golf Club on Sat., Sept. 4; a Flag Day Tournament on Sun., Sept. 5; and a Stableford golf event on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 6. There is also an opportunity to receive a free 10-minute golf lesson at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance for a donation of any amount to the Folds of Honor Foundation, on Sept 4, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Furthermore, the PGA Historical Center will debut a new exhibit that pays tribute to the 92nd PGA Championship, beginning on Fri., Sept. 3
Minor League Baseball’s St. Lucie Mets will also unveil specially commissioned Patriot Golf Day jerseys on Fri., Sept. 3, that the players will wear, autograph and donate for auction, in order to raise funds and awareness for the Folds of Honor Foundation.
Patriot Golf Day Weekend at PGA Village Schedule of Events:
• “Patriot Golf Day Night” with the St. Lucie Mets – Fri., Sept. 3 7 p.m. Players for the St. Lucie Mets Minor League Baseball Team will wear specially designed red, white and blue Patriot Golf Day uniforms and hats that they will sign and auction to fans in attendance as a Folds of Honor Foundation fund-raiser. Maj. Ed Pulido (Ret.) and Ginger Gilbert Ravella will throw out the first pitch and the Avenue D Boys Choir will sing the National Anthem and will be accompanied by Florida Arts and Dance performers. Auction tables will be on the concourse behind home plate for games on Sept. 3-4. Winners will be brought on the field after Saturday’s game to claim their prize.
• Official Opening Ceremonies: PGA Golf Club — Sat., Sept. 4 8 a.m.-10 a.m. The Opening Ceremonies will feature: PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka; Maj. Ed Pulido (Ret.), senior vice president of development, the Folds of Honor Foundation, who lost his leg while in battle in Iraq; Ginger Gilbert Ravella, whose family was the first recipient of a Folds of Honor Foundation scholarship; state and local elected officials; and numerous honored veterans of military operations. There will be a call to the colors; “21 Golf Ball Salute;” U.S. Coast Guard Amphibious Vehicle; performances scheduled by the Avenue D Boys Choir, Florida Arts and Dance Company, marching bands and Pipe-Maj. Graeme Massie on bagpipe; appearances by St. Lucie Mets mascot “Slider”; Marine Corps run; and plenty of pageantry with 250 parade participants. On display will be the Ryder Cup Trophy, which is housed at the on-campus PGA Historical Center. Following the ceremonies will be a golf trick shot show by 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner Dennis Walters, Florida National Guard Interactive Kids Zone and a Junior Golf Carnival with games, contests and more. Families are welcome. Admission is free.
• John Shimkonis Memorial Medal Tournament: PGA Golf Club – Sat., Sept 4 10:30 a.m.-close This 18-hole, shotgun event, named in honor of the first PGA Professional to give his life while fighting for his country during WWII, will use the 4-person scramble format. Proceeds from the entry fee of $75 benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation and cover: Golf, golf car, continental breakfast, boxed lunch and prizes for top finishers!
• Free 10-Minute Golf Lessons: PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance – Sat, Sept. 4 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For a donation of any amount to the Folds of Honor Foundation, golfers will receive a free lesson from a top PGA Professional at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. Donations will also be accepted throughout the weekend for prizes and raffle drawings. In addition, Patriot Golf Day apparel purchased in the Pro Shop from now until Labor Day – or anyone who wears Patriot Golf Day apparel – will receive a 50 percent discount on admission. Limited-edition “Patriot Golf Grips” are also available, with $2 from each one sold going to the Folds of Honor Foundation.
• Flag Day Tournament: PGA Golf Club – Sun., Sept. 5 All Day Celebrate Patriot Golf Day Weekend by playing in the PGA Golf Club’s 18-hole, tee times Flag Day event. Each participant that donates $5 to the Folds of Honor Foundation will receive a small American flag. When the player reaches the point on the golf course when their score reflects par plus their handicap, they will plant their flag. If a player finishes the round and still has not exceeded this score, they will continue playing until they reach that total. The competitor whose flag is planted the furthest on the course wins. Prizes are awarded to the top finishers.
• Labor Day Golf: PGA Golf Club and PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance –
Mon., Sept 6 All Day Donations accepted for the Folds of Honor Foundation through a Stableford scoring golf event, golf lessons and admission. A contribution of $5 per person is requested along with entrance fees.
• PGA Championship Exhibit – PGA Historical Center – Fri.-Sun. – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy free admission to the debut of a new exhibit that pays tribute to the epic 92nd PGA Championship, captured in breathtaking fashion by Germany’s Martin Kaymer.
Editor’s Note: Please call 800-800-GOLF (4653) or visit www.pgavillage.com for tee times, reservations and to participate. Patriot Golf Day Stay and Play Packages are also available. PGA Village is located off of I-95 Exit #121 in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
About The PGA Golf Club:
The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class courses at the PGA Golf Club, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America,” PGA Village also features the award-winning, 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance (formerly the PGA Learning Center) and PGA Historical Center golf museum. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier public-access resort facilities in America, complete with a Private Members Club, and also serves as the home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.
About The PGA of America:
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
About Patriot Golf Day:
The Folds of Honor Foundation’s primary fund-raiser is Patriot Golf Day, the largest grassroots golf platform in the country. With the support of The PGA of America and USGA, Patriot Golf Day has generated more than
$5.3 million from more than 3,700 golf courses in just three years.
Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor, started Patriot Golf Day in 2007, by asking golfers to add $1 to their greens fees in support of the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since then, the concept has grown to include a number of supporters and fundraising efforts. In 2010, The PGA and USGA will continue to support the cause by encouraging their collective membership to participate and promote participation on a national scale through the airing of public service announcements during the PGA Championship and US Open.
Patriot Golf Day 2010 will again be held during the Labor Day weekend, September 3-6. If you are interested in joining our mission to empower the lives of these deserving military families with educational opportunities, please contact the Folds of Honor Foundation or sign up to participate at www.patriotgolfday.com
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