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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

When Tee It Up for the Troops hosts its REUNION program in Florida each year to reunite combat service members, over 30 veterans and caregivers need flights to attend. This REUNION program is an expensive undertaking and Tee It Up for the Troops relies on support from many different sectors to assist us in delivering the benefits of helping attendees transition from the battlefront to the homefront.

Thankfully, in 2013, Hero Miles partnered with Tee It Up for the Troops and has since provided over 350 flights to ensure invited combat veterans and their caregivers are able to attend our REUNION event with no costs for flights.

The Hero Miles program (administered by Fisher House Foundation) provides round-trip airline tickets to wounded, injured, and ill service members – and/or their families or close friends – who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center or who or who are attending an authorized event. Flights are made possible through frequent flyer mile donations made by individual airline passengers of participating airlines, or from donations by citizens. Many recovering service members cite reuniting with their fellow combat friends, like at REUNION, as a huge reason to fight hard to recover and never give up. For the Tee It Up for the Troops 2020 REUNION, 35 flights for our warriors and caregivers was made possible by Hero Miles.

“We are proud to partner with Tee It Up for the Troops by providing tickets through our Hero Miles program to help servicemembers heal,” said Dave Coker, President of Fisher House Foundation. “Tee It Up for the Troops shares our belief that a family’s love is good medicine. Their Reunion program brings combat veterans together, which for many servicemembers is an extension of their own family.”

Operation Hero Miles is a collaborative effort between individual airlines including AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways now merged with America West Airlines; air travel passengers who donate their frequent flyer miles to service members and their families; and the Fisher House Foundation which administers Operation Hero Miles and turns frequent flier mile donations into free airline tickets for military men and women injured due to service in Iraq or Afghanistan, bringing the wounded and their families together.

Hero Miles does amazing work to help veterans and their caregivers in the most challenging of times. On behalf of all of us at Tee It Up for the Troops and the military veterans themselves, we’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dave Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation and Tish Stropes, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Fisher House Foundation and who is responsible for the Hero Miles and Hotels for Heroes programs.

Military families are some of the bravest and most enduring families in our country. While we often only think of the deployed person as the one who sacrifices or struggles, the family left behind also faces many difficulties. Some struggles for family members are due to separation, constant moving, added responsibilities put on them while their loved one is away or adjusting to the mental or physical health of a returning servicemember.

COVID-19  Supportive Resources for Military Parents and Children

We know this is an especially difficult time for our military families, veterans and children during our current COVID-19 crisis. Here are some resources for parents and military children that may be helpful from the  Military Child Education Coalition. From different activities you can do with your children, to resources to help discuss what is happening and hopefully ease some of the challenges you’re facing.

The Challenges That Military Children Face

Family separation can be a very difficult lifestyle for children and spouses/partners of military families, particularly when the separation time is commonly 9-12 months. Spouses/partners, even when not deployed, may be separated for a month or more while completing required training or in the case of injured veterans, when receiving care or rehabilitation.

Family separation also takes a significant emotional toll on children. Military children may worry about the safety or health of their deployed parent or their returning from service parent. Missing their family member can cause children to become anxious, sad, or even clinically depressed, or to begin lashing out in unexpected ways. With very young children, deployment of their parent could even set back developmental milestones like potty training, talking in sentences, or sleeping through the night.

Military life entails moving a lot due to different duty assignments. Relocation can add considerable stress to a family unit due to the necessary transition to another house and community. The family now has to adapt to new schools, jobs, and even friendships. Schools can be a very tough challenge for military children due to the different teaching styles and state school curriculums. Military children may enter a class where they are expected to know a material that they have not been taught. Friendships can also be very difficult for military children who are forced to move frequently because it is challenging to pursue new friendships and “put yourself out there” again and again, especially if another move is likely in the near future.

Finally, there is the added household responsibilities military children may take on when a parent is deployed, which can force a shift in the family dynamic, causing children’s roles and responsibilities to shift as well. This increase in responsibilities for school-aged children, while not innately bad, can result in added stress for military children. Such additional pressure can cause children to feel anxious and even resentful because of the strain they are put under.

The mental health of a returning servicemember also affects children. Combat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be transmitted to children from their parents in cases where a parent suffers from combat PTSD. Secondary PTSD can drastically impact a child’s behaviors. Symptoms of combat PTSD in children can range from hyperactivity to extreme withdrawal.

Anxiety is certainly one of the most common symptoms and can be brought about through many of the symptoms experienced by the parent. For example, if a parent re-experiences the trauma, particularly to the point where it feels like it truly is happening again, this is accompanied by fear and anxiety that the child also feels. Children don’t understand what is happening and they may fear the parent cannot take care of them. Being on edge, angry, or aggressive much of the time can make a child fearful and wonder whether the parent loves him or her.

Tee It Up for the Troops Gets Involved – Join In!

At Tee It Up for the Troops, we strive to give back and help even the youngest members of our military families. Our proceeds go to organizations like Beyond the Yellow Ribbon that create meetings and service support opportunities for military members and families. The proceeds also fund recreational and social events for military families and spouses/partners. Plus, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon provides services to military members and families like daycare, counseling, and household repairs.

Visit our website to learn how you can get involved with a Tee It Up for the Troops event in your area.

As a veterans charity, we here at Tee It Up for the Troops are honored to support groups like The Warrior’s Journey. The Warrior’s Journey works with veterans to build their faith and work towards healthy relationships, family life, and mind. A faith-based organization, the Warrior’s Journey also uses faith and relationships to help equip its members with the tools they need to tackle the problems life throws at them.

The Warrior’s Journey – Helping Warriors since 2016

In 2019, we granted $15,000 to The Warrior’s Journey that they used to further their mission in bringing faith to both active duty and retired military (Warriors). How they achieve this is through their comprehensive website, which is an interactive online resource. This website allows individuals to read articles as well as watch videos about other warriors to understand what they went through and how The Warrior’s Journey helped.

They can also communicate with trained connectors who are there to help Warriors find any help or information they may need about making the next step. Warriors will also be connected with resources, organizations, and ongoing support to ensure they can continue their journey into faith. Warrior’s Journey connectors also work to help Warriors find a local church so they can grow their communal support network.

The Warrior’s Journey Golf Classic – Stay Tuned!

With this partnership, The Warrior’s Journey was able to launch the first annual The Warrior’s Journey Golf classic with Tee It Up for the Troops in 2018. The golf classic raised local awareness of the needs of the military community as well as funds for the faith-based organization. Thankfully, because of the partnership we have with The Warrior’s Journey, we are excited to announce this year’s event: The Warrior’s Journey Golf Classic in partnership with Tee It Up for the Troops- Highland Springs Country Club, Springfield, MO, on October 26, 2020.

The golf classic is a way for people to have fun while remembering the sacrifices our military heroes and their families make every day. This event will start with an amazing ceremony and tribute to our military and the wonderful nation they serve. The day will conclude with an auction to raise money for our remarkable American heroes. Our sponsors, other golfers, and the veterans will all get to partake in an amazing day out on the beautiful greens.

The Warrior’s Journey + Tee It Up for the Troops

The donations received at this event and in general are crucially needed. These funds help combat veterans who are suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally to overcome and persevere through their everyday struggles. Proceeds from this event will also help the Tee It Up for the Troops outreach program “REUNION” which is designed to reunite combat veterans with their comrades from the battlefield.

Whether it’s your friend, acquaintance, or family member, assistance is available from The Warrior’s Journey. This support for our heroes is crucially needed, and we encourage you to come to our events and help raise proceeds for our American heroes and their families.

If you’re not in the area for this fall’s Warrior’s Journey Golf Classic, worry not! Find an event near you today—or consider starting one yourself!

Family is an important aspect of any individual’s life, but they are even more important in the lives of veterans. For many veterans, the support that families and caregivers provide are essential for their transition back into civilian life. We at Tee It Up for the Troops strive to create opportunities and find assistance for veterans everywhere.

One pillar we support as an organization is family and caregiver support. Families and caregivers can be some of the best support systems for our veterans. Families and caregivers are heavily relied upon by their wounded veterans, thus they also need support. That’s why Tee It Up for the Troops works to help caregivers and families both through our signature REUNION Program and our charitable fundraising events.

Our REUNION program brings combat veterans who served with each other back together for five days of golfing and other activities. And it’s not just veterans who come to REUNION for this expenses-paid trip—we also invite the veterans’ caregivers. During these days, caregivers are given opportunities to meet with each other and share their own struggles, talk about self-care techniques, and share resources.

Tee It Up for the Troops also raises money throughout the country for charitable organizations that support the Family & Caregiver Support pillar of our mission. Some of these organizations include Blue Star Families and Hope For The Warriors. These organizations help us achieve our goal of assisting military families, wounded veterans and caregiver support systems.

Blue Star Families creates programs for caregivers and members to help make strong families even stronger. They believe caregiver support is important across all parts of military life from enlistment to veteran status. One thing that makes Blue-Star Families unique is that their team consists of military spouses and veterans. They believe having been in the situation helps them better understand and assist other veterans’ needs.

Another wonderful organization we partner with is the Hope For The Warriors. Hope For The Warriors provides programming and support services to caregivers of post-9/11 service members and veterans who have been physically or psychologically wounded due to combat. These caregivers can include: spouses/partners, adult children, parents, significant others, siblings, and friends.

To all the families and caregivers who support our nation’s veterans—THANK YOU! Your work is invaluable, meaningful, and deeply appreciated. Learn more about our REUNION Program and consider working with your vet to apply.