Coon Rapids, Minn. —The Minnesota Section PGA and its charitable arm, PGA REACH Minnesota, are proud to host the third annual 100 Holes for HOPE and Heroes charity golf tournament on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Mount Frontenac Golf Course in Frontenac, Minnesota. The event will begin at 8:30 am and conclude when 100 holes of golf are played, typically 6-8 hours later.
PGA HOPE is the flagship program under the military pillar of PGA REACH Minnesota. HOPE stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. The program is a therapeutic rehabilitation introduction to golf and is open to all veterans with an emphasis on serving those with physical, emotional and PTSD challenges.
The mission of 100 Holes for HOPE is to involve PGA Professionals, military veterans and other golf enthusiasts in a marathon round of 100 holes in one day. Proceeds, raised through per-birdie pledges and generous partners, will help fund PGA HOPE programs in the Minnesota PGA Section which includes all of Minnesota, most of North and South Dakota and portions of Wisconsin. Due to COVID-19, the event will see some changes this year. Traditionally titled "100 Holes for HOPE", this year the Minnesota PGA and PGA REACH Minnesota added the "and Heroes" to the title to reflect the added efforts to collect Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers and first responders, as well as splitting some of the proceeds between first responder, medical, and other COVID-19 response efforts. "We knew we wanted to hold this event again this year, as it's a great form of awareness for the struggles of our military veterans." Minnesota Section PGA CEO Jeff "JD" Drimel, PGA said. "But when COVID-19 became a larger issue as we began the planning process, we thought this would be a perfect platform to recognize and try to assist the other heroes in our lives, the first responders, medical workers, and others on the front lines of this epidemic. We are not only donating a portion of the proceeds to these heroes but are also collecting much needed PPE for them as well." From year one, some of the rules of golf had already been amended to make play quicker, including any ball within a flagstick of the hole is considered in, so there will be no touching the flagstick or the hole. Each golfer has always been allowed their own riding cart and will continue to have their own this year.
"Each year, I tell myself that playing 100 Holes for HOPE is too much on this aging body, but then I think about who this event supports, how much they have sacrificed, and their dedication to our country I feel compelled to join in." Drimel says of participating in the event. "Luckily, we have other PGA Professionals who feel the same way and join us each year as well." "We are happy to also support those in need during the pandemic this year by sharing some of the revenues and collection donations for those on the front lines dealing with the pandemic. With over $100,000 raised in just over two years, we plan to continue to conduct the event no matter what is thrown at us each year." Treasure Island Resort and Casino are once again the event sponsor for the third year in a row, along with Mount Frontenac Golf Course and the Klick Foundation. We are also thankful for perennial partners Sysco, G.L. Berg Entertainment, Bix Produce, Reinhart Foodservice, TriMark, GPS Promotions, Spartan Promotional Group, IGT, Gasser, Incredible Technologies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Aristocrat, Faegre Baker Daniels, and Minnesota DAV.