Northern Trust Open Riviera Country Club

Special Honors for Veterans

PGA Honor Veterans

By Tom Wright

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 2/2/10- Activities during tournament week at the 2010 Northern Trust Open held February 1-7 at Riviera Country Club Los Angeles, CA

During the tournament a special picnic and golf exhibition for veterans including a private hospitality venue the PGA will offer one day free tickets  to  military vets and their families.

“The military is very near and dear to my heart” said Jerry West who is the  PGA’s ambassador and executive director of the Northern Trust Open.

Jerry stated that his brother and best friend David was killed in the Korean War, which was a life altering experience. During his speech he was visually still shaken by this experience, clearing his voice he said “ I would like to thank you for letting us be apart of your life”. I look forward to spending some time with you during this weeks tournament.

Jerry West Honoring Veterans

As part of the PGA’s program, the Tour will provide all active duty, retired and reserve military members with complimentary admission to the Northern Trust Open at the Rivera Country Club all week.

During the event at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s  golf course build in 1946.

David A. Pillsbury president of the PGA Tour Golf Properties had some very special PGA golfers , Nick Watney and Nick Thompson who will both play during the Northern Trust Open stopped by to paid their respect to the veterans.

http://www.losangeles.va.gov/

Nick Thompson & Nick Watney Honoring Veterans

A special military hospitality chalet – The Patriots’ Outpost presented by the Annenberg Foundation which will be located on the 9^th fairway at Riviera will provide military guests and local veterans with  food and beverages provided by Chick-fil-A during the tournament Wednesday February 3 through Sunday February 7^th.

Saturday, February 6, will be “Military Appreciation Day a special ceremony at 7:30 a.m to kick off the third round of competition at Riviera.  PGA Tour Charities “Birdies for the Brave” http://www.birdiesforthebrave.com is the TOUR’s primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Dennis Walter & Bucky

Dennis Walters with his sidekick “Bucky” a dog that he rescued from the  pound, teed off the special event at the Los Angeles Veteran Hospital’s golf course, his show which is a combination of golf mastery and human inspiration. After suffering a golf cart accident that left him paralyzed , sitting in is special equipped golf cart and with the help from Bucky and his assistant they teed up balls and Dennis would drive them over 200 yards straight away, after each drive he would offer words of encouragements to the vets, saying “Don’t Give Up On Your Dream, if I can do this, you can overcome and realize your dreams , with hard work and perseverance don’t give up on yourself”.

Dennis Tees Off

“Dennis Walter is an extraordinarily inspiration individual said Joe Louise Barrow Jr, chief executive officer of the First Tee”.

http://www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/home/home.asp

Corinthian Uqdah "Golf is my therapy"

Most of the veterans have suffered long range effects of war, golf is their release a quiet moment and  therapy for their wounds, also letting them keep in touch and support with other vets that are returning home.

PGA David A. Pillsbury & Robby Krieger

Many special guest were on hand each one making the  rounds to the tablets that had been set up on the putting green, greeting the many veterans and their families, posing for photos, signing golf balls and hats that were provided by the PGA.

Robby Krieger guitars from the 60’s band The Doors and a member of Riviera Country Club was on hand greeting the veterans and posing for photos.

The wives of the  PGA players spoke about the honor of being able to help the many charities that the PGA supports, Amy Wilson specially thanked the veterans for their service and their sacrifices that they made for our country,  “your families are loved we support you” she said .

Susan H. Mallory president of Northern Trust of California spoke about her service connected life, , including her family’s long military history, her brother is currently servicing in Iraq, again thanking all the men and women of the different branches of the military for their bravery and how it was a personnel honor for her to host this event.

The  event closed with live music, handshakes and thanks to the PGA , a special salute to Jerry West  “Mr. Clutch” for making a big play in a clutch situation,  from all the  brave veterans that are  happy to be  home. , Thank you.

Veterans Thank you Welcome Home

God Bless America.

“Less We Forget”

http://www.pgatour.com

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