Event took place May 24 – 25 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in New Jersey
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Brian Mackey, Director of Instruction at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., participated in the Golf Fore Veterans 24-Hour Golf Marathon in support of veterans and their families on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey. The Golf Fore Veterans 24-Hour Golf Marathon is a charity event where golfers play continuously for 24 hours over Memorial Day weekend to raise awareness and funding for veteran care programs. The event was co-founded by Mackey in 2024 to honor those who have sacrificed and to support those dealing with the mental impacts of war.
Mackey played golf for 24 hours straight alongside two fellow golf professionals, with the group completing 600 holes between them. What once began as a 12-hour golf challenge has evolved into a more ambitious 24-hour marathon. The 2026 event marked the third year that Mackey has participated in the golf marathon, one year individually and the other two with fellow golf professionals. Last year, more than $150,000 was raised during the Golf Marathon and this year Mackey and his team surpassed that total.
“On behalf of myself, Mark DeLaura and Nick Bova, we are so grateful for all of the support we received surrounding our event. The marathon was a tribute to our heroes who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. We played to honor all who sacrificed their tomorrows so we could have today. Our veteran group was such a driving force behind us. We wanted to honor their bravery and commitment by challenging ourselves to complete this task. Golf is an amazing game with tremendous healing power, and it has been bringing people together for a long time. Golf Fore Veterans was created to use our beloved game to help connect our veteran and civilian communities. Together, we can continue to serve those who have served us and live lives worthy of their sacrifice,” said Mackey.
For more information on the Golf Fore Veterans 24-Hour Golf Marathon or to donate or sponsor the event, visit https://golfforeveterans.com. For more information on BallenIsles Country Club, visit www.BallenIsles.org.
About Golf Fore Veterans
Golf Fore Veterans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for veteran services through the game of golf. The organization exists to support those who have served by partnering with organizations that provide critical resources, care, and opportunities for veterans. Golf Fore Veterans was founded by PGA Professionals who shared a simple idea: Push themselves to the limit—and use golf as a platform to give back. What began as a 100-hole marathon on Memorial Day quickly evolved into something bigger—raising nearly $150,000 in 2025 alone. Now, that mission continues to grow, with even more ambitious events designed to increase impact and support more veterans.
About BallenIsles Country Club
In 1963 legendary Florida developer John D. MacArthur and the PGA of America teamed up with golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee to design a championship-caliber golf facility. Over the next ten years, BallenIsles, then called PGA National Golf Club, hosted numerous major tournaments like the PGA Championship and PGA Seniors Championship and was home for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Club was also the host site for the original PGA TOUR Qualifying School and held the inaugural PGA Merchandise Show. When the MacArthur/PGA of America agreement expired in 1973, the Club was renamed the JDM Country Club for John D. MacArthur. For the next 15 years, the prestigious local country club hosted many celebrities and professional golfers and staged many events on the three golf courses on the property. In 1988, the three golf courses and surrounding property were sold by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and renamed BallenIsles Country Club. A multi-year and multimillion dollar plan to develop a private country club community was unveiled. Since the early 2000’s, BallenIsles Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Clubs in America.
BallenIsles features a 115,000 square foot Grand Clubhouse; a world-class 34-court racquets complex with 21 tennis courts (including an exhibition stadium court) and 13 pickleball courts; a brand new four-court bocce complex; and a recently completed $19 million renovation and expansion of the 71,000-square-foot Sports & Lifestyle Complex. Enhancements include a renovated Aquatics Center with a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor Cabana Bar, new dining venue Artisan with Sweet Shop, Member Lounge, Health & Wellness Fitness Center, Salon & Spa, Pilates Studio, Racquets & Lifestyle Shop, Member Lounge, Cultural Center, and Family Fun Center.
The Club also features premier Practice Grounds and ‘71 Golf Learning Center, along with three championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design and Rees Jones totaling 54 holes. Known for its superior member service and golf excellence, BallenIsles continues to invest in world-class amenities that support an active, resort-style lifestyle.
For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org
Media Contact:
Laren Fender
BallenIsles Country Club
Marketing Manger
561.625.5760
laren.fender@ballenisles.org
