America truly is the home of the brave, and as a Myrtle Beach local who loves golf, I can vouch for the mutual affection of this community for the military and golf. It warms the heart to see this beautiful sport playing its role in honoring and supporting those who’ve served. Tees, greens, fairways, and the azure sky have conspired to create a place that embraces veterans and military personnel in a special way.
The Love for Golf in Myrtle Beach
Golf is part of the fabric of Myrtle Beach’s everyday life, offering more than 60 courses spanning across our sun-kissed coast. These golf courses, from the famed Dunes Club to Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, are considered some of the nation’s finest, earning Myrtle Beach the label of ‘the Golf Capital of the World.’ But in addition to their allure for fans of the sport, these golf courses serve a much more profound purpose: they extend a warm, supporting hand to our veterans and military personnel.
Honoring Our Heroes with Golf
Several initiatives make this beautiful city a haven for our military and their families. Project Golf, an initiative introduced by the Myrtle Beach golf community, aims to introduce veterans to the golf course and provides golf clubs to disabled veterans.
Yet another sterling example is the Folds of Honor Foundation. This foundation, supported by many local golf courses, provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or fallen during service. Myrtle Beach golf courses host Folds of Honor Patriot Golf Days, where golfers can donate and play in honor of these courageous individuals. It’s a beautiful show of solidarity that often results in significant contributions to the cause.
Moreover, the Veterans Golfers Association (VGA), founded by a former army soldier, offers veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families a competitive golf circuit. Every year, the VGA championship is held on Myrtle Beach grounds, providing participants with an extraordinary golf experiences, camaraderie, and therapeutic benefits golf offers.
Giving Back to those Who’ve Given So Much
But the support doesn’t stop merely on the greens. Golf courses like Crown Park Golf Club offer discounted rates for military personnel. The National Golf Management even launched the Patriots Golf Card, ensuring special military rates at more than 20 Myrtle Beach golf courses all year round. This initiative allows service members to access the magnificence of playing golf in Myrtle Beach for a fraction of the regular price.
Furthermore, Operation Game On helps rehabilitate wounded warriors, using golf as a form of mental and physical therapy. Veterans going through struggling times can find solace in the vast open spaces and the quiet serenity that only a golf course can offer.
Conclusion
Overall, Myrtle Beach’s golfing community is a vibrant tapestry of support for our military personnel and veterans. This affectionate, respectful relationship is a testament to the deeply rooted values of this city.
In a world where we often require reminders of our shared humanity and duty to each other, these initiatives serve as a beacon of hope. They stand as a testament to our responsibility towards those who’ve served selflessly to guard our freedom. It’s a small return for their immense sacrifice – a gesture of thankfulness, a step towards healing, and perhaps most importantly, a show of respect, affection, and solidarity.
In Myrtle Beach, we don’t just love golf; we love to share it with those who’ve given their all to protect us. We are proud of our military connections, and even prouder of being home to venues that actively support and honor those who’ve served bravely.
Myrtle Beach is a perfect blend of golf and gratitude. It is a community that appreciates the service of veterans and military personnel by giving back through the universal language of sport, particularly golf. Here, everyone is invited to enjoy the greens – especially those who’ve given so much for all of us.