Wilson Golf will be official golf ball of the 2016 VGA Tour
PINEHURST, N.C. (Jan. 18, 2016) – The Veteran Golfers Association (VGA), a national organization offering more than 10,000 veterans each year the opportunity to enjoy competition and camaraderie through golf, today announced a marketing partnership with Wilson Golf. Wilson Golf will be the Official Golf Ball of the 2016 VGA Tour, including the 2016 VGA National Championship at historic Pinehurst No. 2.
Founded in 2014, the VGA is open to all U.S. veterans – wounded, non-wounded, active duty and retired – and their family members including dependents, siblings, or parents who are 18 years or older. By bridging the gap between soldiers’ passion for serving their country and their shared passion for the game of golf, the VGA enables members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active. In addition to golf, the VGA focuses on Post Traumatic Growth initiatives to help veterans and their families cope with combat-related injuries. Using golf as an alternative activity, these veterans can choose a more productive way to deal with the challenges that impact their everyday lives.
“The VGA is proud to join forces with such an iconic brand as Wilson Golf,” said VGA President Joshua Peyton, a retired Army Captain and Army Ranger. “Wilson’s commitment to providing top quality golf equipment is now equaled by their commitment to give back to the veteran community. We appreciate everything that Wilson Golf is doing for the VGA and for veterans all across the country.”
“We are honored to partner with the Veterans Golf Association, ” said Mathias Lundblad, Global Golf Product Line Manager for Wilson Golf. “The VGA’s continued support of veterans and their families, coupled with our shared goal to promote the game of golf and to help those who have served our great nation, made this partnership a great fit.”
Launching in March, the 2016 VGA Tour is comprised of over 80 events held at military, public, and private golf courses such as Pinehurst, Chambers Bay, Black Wolf Run at Whistling Straits, Queenstown Harbour, Fallen Oak and many others. The five-month competitive league features three divisions: veterans, combat wounded veterans, and family members. More than 600 veterans from across the country compete each year to qualify for a spot in the VGA Championship. At the 2015 championship in Pinehurst, wounded veterans made up nearly half the field, and more than a dozen competitors were Purple Heart recipients.
The VGA partnership with Wilson Golf will kick off on Jan. 26 at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. Participating in Wilson Golf Demo Day from 10am – 12pm will be Army Staff Sergeant Micah Tilley (2015 VGA Men’s Champion), Army Chief Warrant Officer Kris Engelhaupt (2015 Women’s Champion) and Army Sergeant Andrew Smith (2015 Wounded Veteran Champion), a double amputee who lost both legs in combat in Afghanistan. Smith’s road to the championship was featured in a live interview on the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, and the upcoming feature length documentary, Operantion Double Eagle, which will released by Polimedia Films in the fall of 2016.
Also participating in Wilson Golf Demo Day as a special guest of the VGA will be four-year-old golf prodigy and media sensation Tommy Morrissey. Born without his right arm below the elbow, Tommy has become an inspiration to golfers and non-golfers alike. His remarkable talent will be on display together with the 2015 VGA champions.
Veterans interested in joining the VGA, and golf professionals interested in adding their golf course to the VGA Tour, can visit www.vgagolf.org to sign up. The 2016 VGA National Championship will once again be held at Pinehurst No. 2 during Veterans Day week, Sunday, Nov. 6 through Wednesday, Nov. 9. More information on the event is available at www.vgachampionship.org.
About the Veteran Golfers Association
The VGA is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting the game of golf to veterans and their family members. The VGA develops programs that allow its members to compete, socialize and remain physically active through the game of golf. For more information visit us at www.vgagolf.org.
Images and videos are available upon request, and the VGA welcomes interviews with the Veterans.
About Wilson Golf
For 100 years, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 61 major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. That winning tradition continues today by delivering the highest quality equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game. For high resolution imagery and access to all press materials for Wilson Staff, visit: https://portal.wilson.com (login: golfmedia / password: golfmedia1).
About Wilson
Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a division of Amer Sports, is the world’s leading manufacturer of sports equipment, apparel and accessories. Through its dedication to creating products that enable athletes at every level to perform at their best, Wilson has earned its place as a leader in sporting goods for over a century.
Contact:
Veteran Golfers Association
Joshua Peyton, VGA President
www.vgachampionship.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charles Upchurch, FWV Public Relations
(919) 277-1175 office (919) 395-1588 cell
www.cupchurch@fev-us.com
