MIDDLETOWN – Tee Off For Our Patriots Golf Classic will be held Monday, Aug. 11, at Navesink Country Club, 50 Luffburrow Lane.
Registration and a buffet luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. Tim McLoone will kick off the event at 12:30 p.m. and introduce the military heroes present. “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be sung and a color guard ceremony will immediately precede the tee off at 1 p.m. There will be military installations on display at the event from various branches of the military. MHA will ask an active duty service member or veteran to play with foursomes, if requested.
Golfers will play 18 holes on the Navesink Country Club championship course and various contests, including a hole-in-one chance to win a new car from World Jeep. After the tournament, golfers and guests will be able to attend a cocktail reception with hors d’oeurvres, complimentary beverages, a live and silent auction, awards and live music provided by Jody Joseph. Golfers and guests will watch a military challenge shoot-out on the 18th hole adjacent to the cocktail reception.
The cost is $1,300 for a foursome and $325 for an individual registration, which includes the cocktail reception. The cost for an individual ticket to the reception is $75. Tickets for the 50/50 will be sold in advance and at the event with the drawing to be held during the reception.
The opportunity to sponsor a “Patriot to Play” is also available.
The benefit will help the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHA) bring attention to the challenges faced by military personnel, veterans and their families. There is an urgent need to encourage returning soldiers to seek early intervention and treatment for any symptoms that may be related, but not limited to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse. MHA’s objective is to ensure that returning soldiers and their family members are helped.
MHA has in place a number of free programs that can be accessed by returning soldiers’ and veterans’ family members. This past year, MHA expanded the promotion and outreach for these services and asked Pamela Schott to coordinate these efforts. Schott was formerly the director of the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) at Naval Station Lakehurst and Family Advocacy at Naval Station Earle.
MHA is currently offering two free family support groups to help veterans’ families, the Sanctuary and Safe Place programs. Each group is held on a monthly basis. The Safe Place program is for family and friends who have lost an active duty member or veteran to casualties of war or suicide. The Sanctuary program is for family and friends of active duty members or veterans experiencing emotional difficulties.
Last month, MHA, the NJ Survivors Outreach Services, and ASA Fort Dix offered a support group, Wellness and Strength in Difficult Times. Survivors, veterans and community members who have been touched by military suicide attended.
“We hope that through outreach efforts like Wellness and Strength in Difficult Times and the Tee Off for Our Patriots Golf Classic, the Tee Off For Our Patriots word will be spread to military personnel, veterans and their families that MHA is here to help,” said Wendy DePedro, MHA executive director.
This year’s golf committee is being chaired by Justine Robertson of Monmouth Beach and MHA Foundation Board Member Ernesto Cullari of Asbury Park. Other members of the committee are Marilyn Broege of Oceanport, Peter Coggins of Rumson, Eugenia Kelly of Long Branch, Thomas Morgan, Psy.D., of Princeton, Dean Ross of Lincroft and Bill Rustico of Highlands. Also serving on the committee are MHA Foundation board members Lindsay Lutz of Long Branch, Nancy Pearson of Rumson, Joseph Silvestri of Farmingdale and board President George Whitelaw of Locust.
Members of the Honorary Committee are: Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert C. Bolton USAF, retired Army Brig. Gen. Peter Dawkins, retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral Douglas Fredericks, retired Col. Michael Ruane, and Marine Lt. Col. Charles M. Long.
Additional information about the golf classic and sponsorship opportunities are available by visiting www.mentalhealthmonmouth.org or calling 732-542-6422, ext. 108.
