Heroes Golf Course provided a day of birdies and hole-in-ones free of charge on Saturday, April 11, at the West Los Angeles VA campus. Managed by the Bandini Foundation, the nine-hole golf course aims to serve its veteran population by providing veterans with the opportunity to learn and play golf.
As a part of its efforts to boost veteran employment on the golf course, the first annual Free Golf Day was held and resulted in a successful event. Taking place from sunrise to sunset, Heroes Golf Course provided its visitors a full day of enjoying the sport.
“We are delighted that so many veterans and community members came to play golf and enjoy the beautiful course this weekend,” said executive director Bruce Rosen.
The Bandini Foundation offered entertainment that included live music, food, and a raffle. Music was provided by radio station The Sound (100.3) with free lunch courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.
The event was star-studded as well: P90X creator and celebrity trainer Tim Horton offered golf warm-ups in the morning, and in the afternoon, PGA professionals offered free clinics to attendees.
Rosen extended “many thanks to 100.3 The Sound, Tony Horton, PGA Pro Scott Morgan, iPic Entertainment, Landmark Theatres, Sky High Sports, L.A. Golf Academy, and to the event sponsors, Knights of Columbus, JAGS, and the Westside Food Bank for making Saturday such a fun-filled day for the community.”
The golf course is usually used for a series of wellness and therapy programs.
Rosen has explained that “golf is a tremendous way to improve general fitness and health,” as it assists veterans in standing up and remaining active for longer periods of time. Veterans also learn to improve their socialization abilities and teamwork skills.
Free Golf Day aimed to raise awareness about the presence and the mission of the golf course.
“Although Heroes Golf Course has been around for decades, there are still many who don’t know that we’re here,” Rosen said. “Free Golf Day was an opportunity to spread the word about us.”
Rosen highlighted the fact that the community can help the veteran population out by simply visiting the course and enjoying a game of golf.
“The more people there are that come and play golf, the more jobs we have to fill, and the more veterans we can hire,” Rosen said. “Hopefully the Free Golf Day attendees will come back and help us support creating more jobs for veterans.”
Heroes Golf Course is open to the public and is located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd. in West Los Angeles.
For more information, call 310.473.0710 or visit heroesgolfcourse.com.