By Kate Lohnes

Two years into a successful partnership, the Memorial Tournament and the United States military have found a unique way to honor American service members during this annual event.

Last year was the first year the tournament organized a Military Appreciation Day, says Media Director Tom Sprouse. Memorial organizers felt the timing was right to introduce such a day, he says, and to honor military members both active and retired.

“With everything going on in the world right now, our men and women who are serving our country are people we want to recognize whenever and wherever we can,” Sprouse says. “The Memorial Tournament is always thinking of ways to give back to the community. We do a lot for charity, and we thought this could be another way we could give back. We took the idea to the military, and they really embraced it.”

Beginning a Military Appreciation Day seemed like the perfect fit for the tournament, according to Executive Director Dan Sullivan.

“The Memorial recognized, like many others, the tremendous sacrifice the military contribute during times of war and peace,” he says. “With the tournament so closely aligned with Memorial Day and its natural platform to recognize the military through the honoree ceremony, we thought it very appropriate to open our doors to active and retired military and their families.”

Service members from several branches of the military – including the Army and Air National Guards and the Marine Corps and Navy Reserves – came to last year’s tournament, says James Simms from the Ohio National Guard Public Affairs Office.

“Last year, the Memorial Tournament was kind enough to issue an open invitation to anyone with an active or retired military ID card from any branch of the military,” Simms says. “They and their families could come in free that day.”

While at the tournament, service members and their families witnessed the honoree ceremony. Service members also unfurled a 40-feet-long flag, while members of The Ohio State University Spring Band and the 122nd Army Band played The Star-Spangled Banner. A color guard marched the American flag up the 18th fairway for a presentation of the colors.

In addition, Simms says the tournament arranged a special luncheon with Jack Nicklaus for 40 selected service members and their families, as well as a military-only golf clinic with professional golfers Jerry Kelly and Frank Lickliter. Both Simms and Sprouse say the Memorial will repeat these events at this year’s tournament.

The tournament will also present a new feature during Military Appreciation Day this year in participation with Start New at Golf (SNAG), a game/program created by former PGA players. Several golfers will hold a clinic for the children of service members, and SNAG will donate a portion of the equipment used to those families.

Simms says the overall experience at Military Appreciation Day provides tournament visitors a unique experience, if they served in the Armed Forces or not.

“It’s kind of a neat perspective,” he says. “There’s a sense of appreciation on both sides. Golf patrons see the service men and women in uniform and take the time to stop and say thanks for their services, and then there are those (service members) who are telling The Memorial Tournament people thanks for having them out (to the tournament). Everyone is pleased and happy be a part of the event.”

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor of Dublin Life.