ATLANTA – Soldiers from the 335th Signal Command (Theatre) and 982nd Combat Camera volunteered to represent the U.S. Army Reserve during the PGA tour championship held at East Lake Golf Club.
The Soldiers were present at the opening ceremony and served as ping flag attendants on the 16th hole.
The 16th hole was also the site of the Birdies for the Brave Patriots Outpost. An appreciation ceremony was held on Thursday, Sept. 11 to open the venue. Kipper Tool, a local Gainesville company, was a main sponsor for the event. Active and retired military were in attendance as well as family members and other special guests.
Birdies for the Brave was started in 2006 by pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy with the aim of supporting veterans wounded during combat operations.
Jay Voelker, Manager, Business Development, Public Relations & Community Outreach for PGA Tour Golf Course Properties added, “Birdies for the Brave is the official military outreach and support program”. Jay stated, “We have a very simple mission, we try and find a way to say thank you and welcome the military community out to the PGA tour events and have a VIP experience at no charge to our military and families”.
Jay also said the positive feedback and thanks he gets from service members is a very humbling experience, “here we are trying to say thanks and the number of thank-yous I get from the military blows me away – they tell me how great the outpost is. It just goes to show the character of our military even when you’re trying to thank them, they give the thanks back”.
One of the day’s volunteers, Spc. Michael Cox an enlisted Soldier with the 982nd Combat Camera echoed the thanks and said, “the reason I came to today’s event was to represent the Army and remember those who could not make it out to the tournament” such as his brother-in-law and grandfather both Army veterans “who inspired me to join the military." Cox also said “What a great place to enjoy some golf." He added how appreciative and thankful he is to have the PGA provide Birdies for the Brave program for all service members to enjoy.
If you did not attend this year’s PGA tournament at East Lake Golf Club, be sure to mark your calendars for 2015. With complimentary admission and the comfort of the Birdies for the Brave 16th hole Outpost, the military community has no reason not to come out and enjoy some golf.