The U.S. Putting Tour announced today that it has designated Wednesday, September 28 as Military Appreciation Day at its USPT Championship, which takes place in Carlsbad, California September 26 through October 2.
All wounded warriors will be able to enter the Championship for free if they play their first round on September 28, which is one of six days of first-round play. In addition, all active and retired military personnel can enter at a 50 percent savings and play their first round on any of the six days.
In making the announcement, USPT President, Jim Hartley, acknowledged the huge impact the military have in San Diego County. "The military are such a big part of our community and so many men and women in the military love to play golf, so having a Military Appreciation Day made perfect sense," said Hartley.
Mr. Hartley went on to say that with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 coming up next Sunday, saluting the military at this time is even more appropriate. Hartley said he hopes he can fill up Wednesday's tournament spots with wounded warriors.
Like all golfers in the
putting championship, military personnel can decide if they want to compete for the cash prizes, which includes a guaranteed first-place prize of $10,000, or to play as amateurs. If they play as amateurs, then they will compete for merchandise prizes, as well as the overall title of America's Best Putter and the crystal USPT Championship trophy.
Mr. Hartley said that the U.S. Putting Tour has set up a special sign-up page for the military, including wounded warriors, at
www.usputtingtour.com/military.html.
The winning professional in the putting tournament also receives an entry into the
World Putting Tour Championships event in 2012, which features a $100,000 cash prize for the winner.
