Recent Releases
June 16, 2008 2008 U.S. Senior Open Announces Military Family Day
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - The 2008 U.S. Senior Open and the United States Golf Association Grants and Fellowship Department, will honor the large contingent of military in Colorado by hosting Military Family Day on Wednesday, July 30.
All military personnel (active and retired) with proper identification will receive free admission, a voucher for a free lunch and a discount in the merchandise tent for themselves and their families.
The program will run in conjunction with the USGA’s Catch the Spirit initiative that provides free admission for all kids 17 and under when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Kids also receive a voucher for free lunch, free ball cap and other goodies when they visit the USGA Junior Tent during the week of the Championship.
“With free admission and a free lunch to a Major Championship, we believe that Military Family Day will bring huge crowds to the Broadmoor. This is just a small token of our sincere appreciation for those men and women that have served our country,” explained Judy Bell, Consulting Director in the Grants and Fellowship Department.
July 30 is the final practice round prior to the start of Championship play. The day’s schedule also includes the Dennis Walters’ Golf Show, held at 2 p.m. on the practice range. Walters’ show is an inspirational and entertaining trick-shot exhibition for golfers and non-golfers. He will hit shots from unusual lies using various items such as a fishing rod and judge’s gavel. Dennis Walters’ Golf Show is free to all spectators on the grounds Wednesday.
Additional Military Initiatives:
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The Bunker – “The Bunker” program (named for its double meaning in golf and the military) is designed to provide high-level hospitality to military personnel through funding from local and national companies interested in supporting the troops.
Companies supporting “The Bunker” include: Coors, Carl’s Jr., The National Homeland Defense Foundation and The Sports Corp. With their support, soldiers from the local military installations will receive free admission to the Championship as well as access in to the well-appointed hospitality villa on the golf course known as “The Bunker.” More than 125 tickets per day will go to the troops Thursday – Sunday.
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Hale Irwin Donation – Two-time U.S. Senior Open Champion and 2008 U.S. Senior Open Honorary Chairman, Hale Irwin, presented a check for $10,000 through the Hale & Sally Irwin Foundation to the event. With this donation, the Championship will provide more than 300 Senior Open tickets to wounded soldiers based in Colorado Springs.
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Discounted Military Tickets – Individuals with a valid military ID are eligible to receive a discount on Practice Round and Championship Round tickets to the U.S. Senior Open. Ticket prices range for $17 to $39 for daily tickets, discounted weeklong packages are also available.
Military tickets must be purchased at the Championship Office, located at 6 Lake Ave. Those purchased in advance of the championship can be given to non-military friends and family. However, only one ticket can be purchased per military ID at the admission gate.
For more information, visit the Tickets page at www.2008ussenioropen.com or call the Championship Office at 719-471-6488.
About the U.S. Senior Open:
The 29th U.S. Senior Open to be held July 28 – Aug 3, 2008, will bring a field of 156 of the world’s best professional and amateur Senior (over the age of 50) golfers to The Broadmoor East Course. Featured players expected to compete include: Hale Irwin (Honorary Chairman), Mark O’Meara, Tom Watson and Craig Stadler. The U.S. Senior Open will be the sixth USGA championship staged at The Broadmoor dating back to the 1959 U.S. Amateur won by Jack Nicklaus. For more information on the championship, visit www.2008ussenioropen.com.
About the USGA:
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world’s golfers and golf courses.
The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $58 million over 11 years to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
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