TOUR players say thanks at 'Birdies for Brave' event

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Wounded Warrior Ryan Kules hits his tee shot on the first hole of the Stadium Course.

With the country set to honor its military heroes, both past and present, at Veteran's Day celebrations later in the week, it was only fitting to have a host of active duty, retired and reserve members of the Armed Forces on hand Monday at TPC Sawgrass for the fifth annual "Birdies for the Brave" tournament.

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Birdies for the Brave is the PGA TOUR's primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since 2005, the TOUR has joined with PGA TOUR players and corporate partners to raise millions of dollars for military homefront groups. Learn more

The event was part of THE PLAYERS Championship's "Giving Back Month" and designed to highlight the sacrifices made by the country's men and women in uniform and their families. Each foursome competing on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course and Dye's Valley Course was joined by a wounded warrior or member of the military.

Net proceeds from the tournament benefit military charities that fall under the "Birdies for the Brave" initiative supported by the PGA TOUR and its players. "Birdies for the Brave," which was created in 2005 by Phil and Amy Mickelson, expects to have raised over $6.2 million for military charities by the end of 2010 thanks to tournaments like the one on Monday held at TPC properties around the country. Officials hope Monday's event would net close to $300,000.

"It's days like today that make us realize how much we take for granted," said David Pillsbury, president of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties. "We get to work, our TOUR players get to play golf and we are able to enjoy the things we do in our personal lives in a free country because of the sacrifices made by many who have come before us, and the sacrifices that continue to be made today by our men and women in uniform and their families."

Monday's events began with a special Military Appreciation Ceremony held on the back lawn behind the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass. In the shadow of a National Guard helicopter parked behind the podium, Phil Stacey, a finalist during season six of "American Idol" who served in the United States Navy, kicked off the festivities by signing in the National Anthem.

PGA TOUR players Vijay Singh, Frank Lickliter and Jeff Klauk, along with former players Bill Kratzert and Bob Duval, were also on hand to play a hole with each group as they made their way around the golf course. They were joined by three members of the Jacksonville Jaguars -- kicker Josh Scobee, punter Adam Podlesh and cornerback Rashean Mathis, all accomplished golfers, as well.

While Singh, Lickliter and Klauk were able to be present to participate in the day's events, they are not the only PGA TOUR players who support military charities. In order for a military charity to be considered for inclusion in the "Birdies for the Brave" program, it has to have an association with a TOUR player. Here is a complete list of PGA TOUR players who support the military charities that fall under the TOUR's "Birdies for the Brave" initiative.

"I want to thank the PGA TOUR and its players; you do so much for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines," said retired Army Gen. Doug Brown, a Vietnam veteran. "We are the ones that are able to get out and see the impact of these great charities that step in immediately when a service member is wounded. It is just another example of how our nation supports its military today."

One of the first military charities to team with the PGA TOUR -- and Lickliter in particular -- is the Wounded Warrior Project, which raises awareness and helps to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members. Representing the Wounded Warrior Project was Executive Vice President Dan Nevins, a veteran of the Iraq war who was wounded in Nov. 2004 when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploded under the vehicle he was traveling in. Nevins suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, had his left leg amputated and, after nearly 30 surgeries, also lost his right leg.

"I was that guy in the hospital at Walter Reed that many of these charities benefit," Nevins said. "When you are there in the hospital, you don't realize everything that goes on to make sure you're taken care of, to take you on adaptive ski trips and to teach you to play golf."

Nevins was not only on hand to participate in the Military Appreciation Ceremony but he also competed in the tournament despite being a double amputee.

"Every year this tournament becomes more and more impressive," Nevins said. "It's a great day to be an American, it's a great day to be alive, it's a great day to be vertical and not horizontal, and it's a great day to play a game that makes me very, very frustrated, but that I keep coming back to time and time again."

During the ceremony, THE PLAYERS announced that the 2011 tournament will again provide free admission to active duty, retired and reserve members of the military and their dependents throughout the week. An expanded "Birdies for the Brave Patriot's Outpost" hospitality tent, located between Nos. 16 and 18, will also be featured for the 2011 event. THE PLAYERS returns to TPC Sawgrass May 9-15.

"We cannot begin to describe how much admiration and respect we have for the men and women in uniform," said Matt Rapp, the executive director of THE PLAYERS. "We hope the 'Birdies for the Brave' event along with our free military admission and hospitality policy can show even the smallest amount of our support for all that they do for our country."

In addition, tournament officials announced that Wednesday, May 11 will be Military Appreciation Day at the 2011 PLAYERS. During last year's PLAYERS, more than 30,000 active duty and retired members of the military and their dependents, took advantage of the free admission policy.