Author: Jodi

With COVID restrictions and a threat of nasty tropical weather, yet an unwavering mission to surpass goals and remain innovative, the Dataw Island Community in South Carolina adjusted, adapted, and achieved during their full Veterans Week of charity fundraising golf events to support disabled veterans!! Due to their perseverance and creativity, Tee It Up for the Troops would like to announce that Dataw Island is the 2020 WINNER of the #StepItUp4Heroes Challenge! This challenge was issued at the on-set of the COVID pandemic when many events were canceled causing the loss of critical fundraising dollars for our American heroes. Congratulations Dataw Island for making a positive difference for our disabled military veterans and their families who STEPPED UP for our freedom!

Dataw initiated a new event this year-The Big Break Dataw Golf Challenge-which had holes set up a little differently and offering unique challenges on two of their courses, the Cotton Dike and Morgan River. With hole names such as “Maintenance Forgot Their Tools” and “Alligator Hole” players’ skills were surely challenged! The Big Break Challenge was a fun and innovative way to bring some new excitement to this fundraising classic!

The week-long event kicked off with the One-Man Marathon Golf Tournament and was proclaimed by the Governor as “Tee It Up for the Troops Day” across the state of South Carolina. Hundreds of people showed up or donated in support of veterans who are wounded or disabled and was led by Dataw Island’s Head Golf Pro, Chris Fearn, who completed the one-man golf marathon in one long day. Chris teed off at 3:30 am and played until dark in order to raise money for veterans through Tee It Up for the Troops.

Last year, Fearn played an amazing 251 holes of golf before raising over $35,000. This year, once all pledges are collected, Fearn will raise more than $40,000 bringing his seven-year total to $200,000! Fearn was able to complete an astounding number of holes (253) with great strokes (55 birdies and 2 eagles) to break his record!

Supporters, primarily members of the private gated community of Dataw Island where Fearn works, pledge their choice of a per-hole amount or a flat amount, with the per-hole serving to encourage Fearn to complete as many holes as his body and daylight can allow. Each birdie and eagle he makes also increases the take, so playing fast and accurately are both goals.

“I have to admit,” said Fearn, “Waking up at 2:45 am and knowing that I’m about to play golf for 14 hours straight, with the first three-plus hours in the dark, is a little daunting, but it’s still a lot of fun since I know it’s for a great cause. Having members and veterans there cheering me on is really what keeps me going. Although it takes me a few days to recover afterward, it’s a small sacrifice that I’m happy to make in the make of Tee It Up for the Troops.”

In years without COVID restrictions, the Dataw Island’s Veterans Week celebrations are more complete with activities such as the flag brigade, a veteran’s march & rally, a veteran’s breakfast, and veterans’ lunch, and guest bartenders. However, this did not hold them back from modifying and “Marching On!” Since this year’s guest of honor was unable to speak in person, a wonderful video was shared. From Roy Brown, Jr. (AKA “JR”) of Ridgeland, SC about his passion for helping veterans.

Event Coordinator, Col. Glenn Blackburn, Ret. US Army, says that the Dataw Island partnership with Tee It Up for the Troops has made this charity event a nationally recognized fundraiser. “The support that Dataw Island shows each year for local and national non-profit service organizations is tremendous. Through sponsoring golf holes at our Veterans Classic, Head Golf Pro Chris Fearn’s golf marathon, and the raffle, residents show amazing support for our wounded and disabled veterans.”

Tim Wegscheid, President and Executive Director of Tee It Up for the Troops, said “Dataw Island’s Veterans Week traditions, take hard work, imagination, and dedication and we are so grateful for the folks in the Dataw community and local supporters who back our veterans and country. Each year, this wonderful community puts on an amazing display of patriotism and fun golf events! Thank you for your loyal support of our disabled veterans and their families!”

Tee It Up for the Troops salutes event leader Col. Glenn Blackburn, Ret. US Army, Head Golf Pro, Chris Fearn, and the residents and staff of Dataw Island for making Veterans Week 2020 a huge success! Your ability to persevere during COVID and press on given any obstacle in your way to help military veterans and families is astonishing!

Award Based on Outstanding Online Reviews

Tee It Up for the Troops, with their national headquarters in Burnsville, Minn., announced today it has been named a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits.

Tee It Up for the Troops provides critically needed services to combat veterans and their families and has hosted nearly 550 fundraising events in over 40 states over the last 16 years, allowing the non-profit organization to donate over $11 million to partnering veteran service organizations.

“We are very proud to be recognized by GreatNonprofits as a Top-Rated Nonprofit based on user reviews by our veterans, military family members, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters,” says Tim Wegscheid, President & Executive Director for Tee It Up for the Troops. “Thank you to our supporters and everyone who shared your Tee It Up for the Troops experience. We are honored by this achievement and dedicated to supporting all those who serve(d) in the Armed Forces of our great nation with your help!”

The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that Tee It Up for the Troops received – reviews written by volunteers, donors, and military veterans and family member aid recipients. People posted about their personal experiences with the nonprofit.

For example, one combat veteran wrote, “Tee It Up for the Troops is a great organization. I wish I would’ve found them sooner as golf has played a significant role in my overall mental stability since coming home and transitioning into civilian life.” Another supporter wrote, “An essential organization that works hard to help Veterans of America’s Armed Forces and their families to heal, transition, grow and thrive…they believe in their mission, they achieve their goals and they help veterans in need succeed in life.”

“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits. “Tee It Up for the Troop’s award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working with them.”

GreatNonprofits is the leading website where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofits. The GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards are the only awards for nonprofits determined by those who have direct experience with the charities – as donors, volunteers, and recipients of aid.

To read about our five-star ratings, reviews and add your own review if interested, please visit: https://greatnonprofits.org/org/tee-it-up-for-the-troops-inc

Antigua is a dedicated partner and apparel sponsor for Tee It Up for the Troops. In the office or on the green, our staff, leaders, military heroes, and event participants proudly wear Antigua Sportswear that is co-branded with our logo. The Antigua Group, Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear with a 40-year history as a golf apparel provider.

Antigua has always shown strong support for military veterans. From apparel donations to their Annual Antigua Invitational Golf Tournament benefiting homeless veterans in their home state of Arizona, they believe veterans are the lifeblood of this country and will always do what they can to help.

“As a father of a veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I am so proud that Antigua is involved in Tee It Up for the Troops great series of events,” said John Anderson, Antigua’s National Sales Manager for the Golf Division. “The most important thing is all the good that comes to military veterans through Tee It Up for the Troops and we are just so proud to be a small part of your great events.”

John’s son, Ryan Cole, was an Army Ranger assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He was deployed four times to Operation Enduring Freedom and once to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ryan has a master’s degree from Portland State University in Geology and is currently an Engineering Geologist with the U.S. Forest Service.

“The support of Antigua helps our veterans and event participants look good, splash patriotism, and stay cool and comfortable while playing golf in our fundraising events, but more importantly, Antigua supports our mission to improve veteran’s lives by enhancing their mental, social, physical and emotional well-being, said Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President & Executive Director. “We are grateful to Antigua and John for their tremendous dedication to our military heroes. And a huge thank you to Ryan for his bravery and service to our country!”

Antigua works with Tee It Up for the Troops to supply many co-branded apparel items including golf polos and pullovers like those seen above. One of our most popular patriotic pride apparel items is the Antigua Patriot Golf Polo, also shown above, which has the good old red white and blue across the stars and stripes print on the shirt’s chest.

Thank you, Antigua, for all you do for our veterans! For more information about Antigua Sportswear, Shop Antigua.

With charity golf fundraising events all over the United States, Tee It Up for the Troops events will look different in each area of the country depending on the local golf facility protocols and area-specific social distancing guidelines.

In the short term, we likely will need to avoid activities where large groups gathered like at registration, or the closing program and dinner or auction areas. Instead we will pivot to some fun changes like offering a grilled meal at the turn or a virtual silent auction where you can easily outbid your competitors while remaining safe and having fun doing so! 

Here are some ways our events will be modified to be made contact-free and safe as well as some new, innovative ways to raise awareness and funds.

• Online registration systems-a paperless registration that also allows for the sale of raffle tickets, contests, game cards, apparel, etc.  
• Possible format changes including tee times instead of a shotgun start.
• Online auction system and the ability to see and bid on items before the event.
• New giving platform – “Text To Give” – that gives golfers and supporters an easy way to donate to the event and an option to tie in a “Fund A Need Campaign.”
• Establishing a “Fund A Need Campaign” encouraging a differing option of support for an event.
• Host a “Longest Day of Golf” marathon at the club. Sometimes the golf pro will challenge their members to support their golf marathon. Individuals and/or foursomes can collect donations and gather together on a chosen day to play their longest day of golf. 
• “Holes for Heroes” – 18 hole signs with stories of combat warriors and how they are benefiting from funds raised. Signs are put on 18 holes for a period of time and include a “Text To Give” and online donation option.

While the coronavirus may prevent us from hosting large, in-person events, there are plenty of ways we can still come together to support our military community!

With diligent event team planning and modifications to ensure the health and safety of all our supporters and warriors, Tee It Up for the Troops is ready to offer some fun and meaningful charity golf fundraising events!  See you on the course!

We are working with our charity golf event teams to ensure that our Tee It Up for the Troops events are safe events, and consistent with individual course guidelines as well as each state’s COVID-19 regulations. 

Good news! We have learned that charity golf events can be contact-free and safe while still being fun, meaningful charity events that raise funds for our military heroes. Here’s a look at the schedule for the first few events of Tee It Up for the Troops return in 2020:

Longest Day of Golf Kick-Off

We are excited for June 22^nd, when Northern Bay Golf Resort in Arkdale, Wisconsin will host their 2nd annual Longest Day of Golf for the Troops Event! Derek Donovan, Head Golf Professional, will be leading the charge at Northern Bay and will “Tee It Up” at the crack of dawn and play until sundown to raise money to support America’s combat veterans. 

“We are forever indebted to those who have served in the military….their heroism sometimes gets taken for granted…but on this day on the golf course we will appreciate the freedoms our veterans have sacrificed for and offer them gratitude, says Derek Donovan.”

You can get behind this event and support our American Heroes by making a donation to Northern Bay’s Longest Day of Golf or starting your own Longest Day of Golf team here: Northern Bay Golf Resort Longest Day of Golf 2020

Other Upcoming Events

Other upcoming events kicking off summer and the golf season include the July 20^th Tee It Up for the Troops – Black Hills, Arrowhead Golf Course, Rapid City, South. You can help our veterans by registering, sponsoring or donating to this military charity event at Tee It Up for the Troops-Black Hills, Arrowhead Golf Course

On July 27, we have two sensational events returning. The 13^th Annual Congressional Charity Golf Classic, presented by Lockheed Martin, will be held at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.  Current and former Members of Congress, more than 40 wounded warfighters and dozens of supporters will come together for a one-of-a-kind golf event that supports combat veterans with permanent disabilities. Congressional Charity Golf Classic

Also on July 27, the Tee It Up for the Troops – Mendakota Country Club event will take place in Mendota Heights, MN.  This event was Tee It Up for the Troop’s very first charity event sixteen years ago and with several key volunteers and sponsors, this event is exceptional each year. To sponsor, golf or participate in this event: Tee It Up for the Troops – Mendakota Country Club

We know many American’s are eager to “Tee It Up!” The real winners will be our combat veterans who have been severely affected by the emotional and financial impact of the Coronavirus. 

Story originally shared by Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace (KK&W)

A Generous Donation to Tee It Up for the Troops, a military charity organization. 

As our world struggles to recover from the devastation inflicted by COVID-19, we at KK&W wanted to share some happy news of generosity and true selflessness with our friends and colleagues.

Recently, The Amelia Island Club (AIC) in Amelia Island, Florida retained our firm to conduct a search. Circumstances changed in the very beginning and the search was cancelled.

KK&W returned the deposit and AIC made a generous donation to Tee It Up For The Troops [a military charity organization] for our gesture. Since 2005, we have been a proud corporate sponsor of TIUFTT which has donated over $11,000,000 for the families of our veterans. This generous donation was made in “Memory Of” a fallen soldier Kelly Mixon.

David Shepler, GM/COO of AIC sent the partners an email to let them know the donation to the recommended military charity organization had been made in their honor and in memory of Kelly Mixon. Along with his note, he shared the story of Specialist Kelly Mixon who would have turned 24 two weeks after his death.

The rest of the story

“When arriving at any new job there are those staff members who really stand out and at AIC, one of those was a young Sous Chef, Amy Mixon. Amy really helped me through a difficult first 6 months when both the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef left shortly after my arrival. Over time I got to know Amy better and while she is a private person, through others I learned Amy’s husband, Kelly Mixon was killed in action in Afghanistan December 8, 2010.”

Dave’s son, Drew, an Army soldier, who served two tours in Afghanistan and was stationed in an adjoining province of Afghanistan. Drew recounted, with his father, hearing about Kelly and another soldier who were killed by a suicide bomber while on patrol. This was the first time, Dave ever put a personal face to the ultimate sacrifice many have given, with the realization that could have been his son and it hit home!

Kelly was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School on Amelia Island, where he was an accomplished drummer and had played briefly for the Jacksonville Jaguars drum line from 2005-2006. Prior to enlisting, Kelly had worked his way up to sous chef with plans to use the G.I. Bill to attend a 4-year culinary institute and fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming an executive chef.

Prior to his death, Kelly was able to spend Thanksgiving at home with his friends and family doing his two favorite things, cooking and playing drums. He even stopped by and practiced with the current band members at his old high school, during this trip.

Even though Amy no longer works at AIC, she and Dave have remained very close, sharing a very special bond and this is why The Amelia Island Club donated to Tee It Up For The Troops in “Memory of Kelly Mixon.”

Thank you David Shepler, CCM, CCE, General Manager/COO and The Amelia Island Club -you are the best!

The e12 Soft Patriot Pack Delivers Unrivaled Value-Performance While Supporting America’s Veterans

COVINGTON, Ga. – (May 4, 2020) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, unveiled today its new Limited Edition e12 SOFT Patriot Pack supporting Tee It Up for the Troops.  The Patriot Pack features a dozen of the award-winning e12 SOFT white golf balls and a bonus sleeve of the popular e12 SOFT Matte Red, all housed in a red, white and blue themed package that any American patriot would be proud to display.  A portion of proceeds from sales will benefit Tee It Up for the Troops. 

Tee It Up for the Troops is a national non-profit organization that has donated greater than $11 million to programs that deliver critical services to help veterans from all eras heal and transition from the battlefront to the home front.  Through its REUNION Outreach Program and other partnering veteran service organizations, Tee It Up for the Troops provides support for six critical areas of need for veterans and their families: Golf and Sports Rehabilitation, Suicide Prevention, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries, Employment, Housing/Homelessness, and Family/Caregiver Support. Hosting more than 50 charity events held in over 40 states annually, Tee It Up for the Troops considers it a privilege to honor, remember, respect, and support all those who serve(d) in the United States Armed Forces. 

“Tee It Up for the Troops and Bridgestone have a storied history together, as the organization’s founding and the Bridgestone Golf brand’s entrance into the U.S. Market coincided in 2005,” said Dan Murphy, President and CEO of Bridgestone Golf. “Over the past 15 years both of us have grown together and we are excited to honor our 15-year relationship with this new e12 SOFT Patriot Pack initiative.  Bridgestone continues to serve as a National Sponsor, providing golf balls to the organization’s more than 50 tournaments annually.”

The e12 SOFT delivers increased firepower off the tee and reduced sidespin 

 for players who need it most using a proprietary Active Acceleration Mantle layer as a key component of their 3-piece construction.  The Active Acceleration Mantle is comprised of a High-Performance Polymer material that provides increased thrust and higher initial velocity at impact, while allowing Bridgestone to soften the core for greater forgiveness and enhanced feel.  In addition, the balls utilize Bridgestone’s Delta Wing Dimple pattern for less drag and optimized aerodynamics. The e12 SOFT is designed specifically for players with less than 105 mph swing speeds who fight sidespin challenges.  

The Bridgestone e12 SOFT Limited Edition Patriot Pack hits retail this week and features a selling price of $29.99 per dozen.  For more information on the entire family of 2020 Bridgestone Golf balls, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com. 

About Bridgestone Golf

Based in Covington, GA, Bridgestone Golf USA manufactures premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brands. The company started making golf balls in 1935 and today has 800 golf ball design patents. Beginning in 2006, Bridgestone revolutionized golf ball selection with its custom ball-fitting program, identifying a golfer’s ideal golf ball based on personal swing characteristics. Today, as the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, Bridgestone has conducted over 2.2 million fittings via a combination of live-fitting, online selection and its new VFIT service.  The consumer data gathered from ball-fitting continues to inspire Bridgestone’s innovative new golf ball designs, yielding industry-leading performance products for the entire range of players, from recreational golfers to the best in the world. Bridgestone Golf is proudly represented on international professional tours by icons such as Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau, Rocco Mediate and Lexi Thompson.  Bridgestone Golf USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo. More information:  bridgestonegolf.com.

Media Contacts:

Bridgstone: Jared Kelowitz, JDPR, jaredk@jdpr.com, cell: 864.901.2957

Tee It Up for the Troops: Theresa Johnson, theresa@teeitupforthetroops.org, cell: 612.747.0047