Event to Benefit Fisher House Foundation and Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation
By Leonard Finkel
Thousands of golfers across America will “golf for good” today, Monday, May 1, as part of the seventh annual World’s Largest Golf Outing (WLGO), a national event benefitting Fisher House Foundation and Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation.
WLGO kicks off “Let’s Play Golf Week,” a Golf Channel-Golf Now initiative. The week-long series of events and activities is designed to promote participation among beginner and frequent players. This marks the first year WLGO has partnered with Golf Channel, its Morning Drive show serving as the event’s on-air hub.
More than 140 courses from Hawaii to Massachusetts will host events. Spots remain available at several courses nationwide. A USGA handicap is not required; golfers can sign up as a single, twosome or foursome.
Since 2011, more than 52,000 men, women, junior and senior golfers have played in 33 states to raise more than $3.5 million for military and family charities. Several national celebrities from PGA Tour Legend Chi Chi Rodriquez to 42nd President Bill Clinton have donated to WLGO.
By giving back to Fisher House and Arnie’s Army, WLGO honors the philanthropic legacy of BCG namesake, Masters and two-time U.S. Open winner, Billy Casper, who served in the Navy and witnessed first-hand the effects of front-line combat. Casper often entertained U.S. troops serving in Asia by hitting golf balls over aircraft carriers. Hill imagined a day when courses in and outside the BCG portfolio would simultaneously host a golf fundraiser supporting military and family charities.
For more than 25 years, Fisher House has provided a “home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes offer free, temporary lodging to military and veterans’ families, allowing them to be close to loved ones during medical crises and the healing process. There are 71 Fisher Houses across the U.S., Germany and United Kingdom.
The Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation continues Arnold Palmer’s legacy of philanthropy by providing finances to institutions and organizations supporting the well-being and development of children and youth; health and wellness initiatives; and programs strengthening communities and the environment.
Participating WLGO teams are encouraged to raise additional funds by donating at worldslargestgolfouting.com/donate. All registered golfers are entered into a grand-prize drawing to win a trip for four to Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. The highest national fundraising team will also earn a foursome trip there. Four people from teams raising $150 or more in donations will be randomly selected to win a set of limited-edition red, white and blue D300 Irons from Wilson Golf.
Leonard Finkel is the author of The Secrets to the Game of Golf & Life and former editor in chief of Golf Journeys Magazine. His work has been featured in almost 200 publications including Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Golf Illustrated, Golf Tips and Player Magazine. He has written more than a dozen cover stories for Golf Today Magazine. He has written extensively about golf and travel and has added poker to his writing repertoire. Finkel also works as a marketing and public relations consultant. His specialty niche is writing advertorial copy. Prior to his career in golf, Finkel owned a chain of retail stores and a consulting and import company based in Asia. He attended the University of Utah.