‘World’s Largest Golf Outing’ Raises More Than $725,000 for Wounded Warriors

More than 10,000 golfers at 110 courses helped raise $725,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project this past August. That’s the largest amount ever raised by a single-day golf event.

The far-flung, simultaneous outings were held at Billy Casper Golf properties in 24 states. Event participants included more than 70 Wounded Warriors.

In addition to a fun round of golf, all golfers were entered into a drawing to win a grand-prize trip for four to the Nike Campus in Oregon to get fitted for Nike irons. In addition, tournament winners at each course were eligible to win tickets to the 2014 PGA Championship in Louisville, KY as well as products from top golf brands Ahead, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade and Titleist. Teams with the highest contribution levels received complimentary tees times at Billy Casper Golf courses and Wounded Warrior Project merchandise.

I’m sorry that I didn’t realize this was going on until after the fact. The GolfBlogger household takes veterans very seriously—Mrs. GolfBlogger is an Air Force Veteran who participated in Desert Storm, and thankfully came through that just fine. Many other veterans are not so lucky, and we try to do what we can. I’m going to pay more attention next summer. GolfBlogger World Headquarters is near a couple of Billy Casper managed properties.

Full press release below:

Billy Casper Golf’s ‘World’s Largest Golf Outing’ Raises
More Than $725,000 for Wounded Warrior Project

Largest Amount Donated to WWP From Single-Day Golf Event

(VIENNA, VA) – Billy Casper Golf (BCG) hosted more than 10,000 golfers at 110 of its golf courses in 24 states during the third annual “World’s Largest Golf Outing” on Monday, August 12, raising more than $725,000 for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Since its inception three years ago, the World’s Largest Golf Outing has donated more than $1.1 million to WWP, the largest amount ever via a single-day golf event. In addition to a portion of golfer entry fees WWP received, donations were accepted at http://www.worldslargestgolfouting.com.

The simultaneous golf outing at BCG properties included participation of more than 70 wounded warriors at 27 different courses. WWP is the national non-profit organization that honors and empowers injured service men and women.

“The outpouring from across the country is incredible,” says Sergeant Robert Maier, a wounded warrior who survived two IED attacks and played at Black Mountain Golf Course (Black Mountain, NC) with Mayor Carl Bartlett. “The money raised does amazing things for us and our families.”

Other highlights of the emotional yet fun event include:

• Lyman Orchards Golf Club (Middlefield, CT) topped all courses with $51,449 in total donations
• Team Calkin – led by a retired Marine – at Alta Vista Country Club (Placentia, CA) raised $14,960, outpacing all foursomes
• Four teams raised more than $8,000 each, 10 teams more than $5,000 each
• Jordan Fairchild – born on September 11, 2001 – sang the Star-Spangled Banner at Palmbrook Country Club (Sun City, AZ)
• The Claw at USF (Tampa, FL) hosted the most wounded warrior golfers (nine)
• 10 courses hosted more than 200 golfers
• Retired Lieutenant Colonel David LaPlane hit the ceremonial first tee shot at Rock Manor Golf Course (DE)
• 21-gun salute to kick off the outing at Orchard Valley Golf Course (IL)
• Lincoln Hills Golf Club (Lincoln, CA) hosted 307 golfers (120 active or retired military), including personnel from Air Force Base Travis facing off against Air Force Beale in a friendly “Base Battle” match-play competition (Beale won)
• Many BCG courses honored the military with moments of silence; ceremonial first tee shots; standing ovations; national anthems; color guards; patriotic pin flags, tee markers and apparel; and golf carts decorated in red, white and blue
• Service member families and politicians played
• Three holes-in-one at Lyman Orchards (CT), Bear Creek (TX) and Eastpointe (FL)“WWP is in awe of the growth of this event and the generosity of golfers nationwide,” says Adam Silva, Chief Development Officer of WWP. “We and the warriors who took part salute the goodwill of Billy Casper Golf and look forward partnering for many years to come.”
  “The sacrifice of wounded warriors in the name of our country is humbling,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “Our loyal golfers are commended for turning out in droves this year and raising a fantastic sum for this worthy cause.”All golfers were entered into a drawing to win a grand-prize trip for four to the Nike Campus in Oregon to get fitted for Nike irons. In addition, tournament winners at each course were eligible to win tickets to the 2014 PGA Championship in Louisville, KY as well as products from top golf brands Ahead, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade and Titleist. Teams with the highest contribution levels received complimentary tees times at BCG courses and WWP merchandise.About Wounded Warrior ProjectThe mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and service to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more:  http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.About Billy Casper GolfEstablished more than 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, BCG is headquartered in Vienna, Virginia with regional offices near the 150-plus golf properties under company management. For golf courses, country clubs and resorts, BCG directs all aspects of course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food-and-beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.As a division of BCG, Buffalo Communications is the leading global golf-lifestyle public relations, branding, marketing-communications and creative services firm representing top brands in and related to golf. Buffalo Turf & Landscape Company provides golf course maintenance-only programs with a new fee-for-service structure that allows property owners unfettered visibility into actual activities and costs.For more information: http://www.billycaspergolf.com, 703.761.1444.