Organizations to donate golf balls from “majors” to U.S. troops abroad
(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – International Junior Golf Tour – one of the leading competitive circuits for elite golfers grades 5-12 – today announces a partnership with “Bunkers in Baghdad” and Bridgestone Golf to collect golf balls for U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas.
Bunkers in Baghdad is a non-profit that gathers and delivers golf balls, clubs and equipment to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Bunkers in Baghdad is looking forward to working with America’s up-and-coming golfers on the International Junior Golf Tour,” says Joseph Hanna, President and Founder of Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc. “We’re proud to say young people have played a significant role in helping our organization collect and ship more than 2.4 million golf balls and 50,000 golf clubs to our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and 11 other countries as well as wounded warriors in all 50 states.”
The IJGT will donate balls collected during the three “majors” this fall at Hershey Links Golf Club in Hummelstown, Pa. (Oct.28-30), Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C. (Nov.11-13) and Temecula Creek in Temecula, Calif. (Dec. 9-11). Players can receive an exemption to the majors by competing in IJGT events and earning merit points.
Bridgestone Golf, the No.1 ball fitter in golf and official IJGT partner, will donate a dozen new golf balls for every 100 collected.
“It is an honor to partner with Bunkers in Baghdad and Bridgestone Golf to support our troops,” says Peter Orrell, President and CEO of Junior Sports Corporation, owner/operator of the IJGT. “This initiative is only a small token of our appreciation for what service members do to protect our country each day.”
“We appreciate the IJGT coming to us with such a great idea and happy to participate in a small way,” says Dan Murphy, Vice President of Marketing for Bridgestone Golf. “We hope the balls sent overseas to our troops provide a level of recreation and an opportunity for fun during their important missions.”
Headquartered on Hilton Head Island, S.C., the IJGT offers over 60 two-and three-day events throughout the U.S. each year. IJGT members represent 45 U.S. states and 43 countries.
IJGT alumni include Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Paula Creamer, as well as several other PGA and LPGA Tour players. The class of 2011 IJGT graduates play at several of the top NCAA Division I schools across the country including University of North Carolina, University of Arkansas, Indiana University, Southern Methodist University and others.
For more information about the IJGT or to donate golf balls: www.IJGT.com, info@IJGT.com, 800.792.9143.
About Bridgestone Golf
Bridgestone Golf, Inc., based in Covington, Ga., manufactures and markets premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names. Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed golfers including Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Davis Love III, Paula Creamer, Brandt Snedeker, Nick Price and Lee Trevino. Bridgestone Golf, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., whose headquarters are in Tokyo.
About Junior Sports Corporation
Located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, JSC owns and operates:
Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (www.IJGA.com) is the world’s only academy to combine training, competition and academics for serious junior golfers. Director of Instruction Hank Haney – coach to winners of every major championship on the PGA Tour – and his elite staff train junior golfers from more than 25 countries and 45 states.
The International Junior Golf Tour (www.IJGT.com) hosts 60 tournaments annually and is the only junior golf tour with events every weekend during the September-to-May school year.
Established in May 2011, the Ivan Lendl Junior Tennis Academy (www.LendlTennis.com) produces the finest tennis training and competition for junior students to ultimately reach the college or professional ranks. Ivan Lendl, former World No. 1 player and winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles, serves as Director of Instruction and is dedicated to the development of each junior tennis player.
Heritage Academy (www.HeritageHHI.com) provides progressive, diverse academic instruction for students from grades five to 12 who pursue extra-curricular passions, such as golf at Hank Haney IJGA and tennis at Ivan Lendl IJTA.
Hilton Head Island is easily accessible by most major airlines through Hilton Head Island (HHI), Savannah (SAV), Charleston (CHS) and Columbia (CAE) airports.
Contact:
Glenn Gray
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3511
ggray@buffalocommunications.com
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
