The third annual Veterans Classic is at the Westhampton Country Club this Monday, May 20, to support the mental health and well-being of veterans and military families, just in time for Memorial Day.
“We’re kicking off the summer in the best possible way, by gathering on the greens to play golf with some of our favorite people and veterans,” says Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. For nearly 20 years the foundation has provided funding programs for veterans, service workers and their families after its founder, ABC correspondent Bob Woodruff, was wounded by a roadside bomb while reporting on the war in Iraq.
About 20% of veterans experience mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression and anxiety, according to a press release from the foundation. “While the Veterans Association provides quality care for veterans,” the release says, “only 60% of veterans were eligible for VA care, with roughly half using their benefits, as of 2016.”
In addition to the golf tournament, set to being on Monday at 10:30 a.m., guests can participate in a pickleball clinic as well as catch a show from the Patriot Parachute Team, a professional skydiving demonstration team owned and operated by veteran Navy SEALs, at 11:30 a.m.. Afterward, guests can enjoy brunch, dinner, cocktails and an awards ceremony.
To play in the golf tournament, foursomes are $10,000 and individual spots are $2,500, with those players paired with a group. Hole sponsorships are available and include signage recognition and two dinner tickets for $1,000 per hole, the press release says. Caddies are included.
At last year’s Veterans Classic, which focused on food insecurity among the veteran population, more than $400,000 was raised to support the foundation’s mission. Since its inception in 2006 the foundation has invested more than $159 million to ensure veterans and their families have stable, successful futures. So far, the foundation’s philanthropic efforts reached about 12 million veterans and families while continuing to focus on other areas such as housing, legal support, food security, financial assistance and employment. For more information, including registration, contact Dave Woodruff at [email protected].
Westhampton Country Club is located at 35 Potunk Lane in Westhampton Beach.
