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PGA TOUR and Northern Trust Open tournament officials today announced plans to honor area military personnel and their families, including free admission during the tournament, a special picnic and golf exhibition for veterans, and a private hospitality venue. The 2010 Northern Trust Open will be held February 1-7 at the historic Riviera Country Club. "The military is very near and dear to my heart," said Jerry West, executive director of the Northern Trust Open. "My closest brother, David, was killed in the Korean War when I was 12 years old, and that was certainly a life-altering experience for me. Anything that we can do through the Northern Trust Open to support local military men and women and their families – and show them how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice – makes me even more proud to be associated with this tournament. I look forward to spending some time with them during event week." As part of the program, the PGA TOUR will provide all active duty, retired and reserve military members and their dependents with complimentary admission to the Northern Trust Open all week. A special military hospitality chalet – the Patriots’ Outpost presented by the Annenberg Foundation – located on the 8th hole at Riviera will provide military guests and local veterans with complimentary food and beverages and a variety of interactive activities from Wednesday, February 3, through Sunday, February 7. On Tuesday, February 2, the PGA TOUR will host a picnic and golf exhibition for hundreds of veterans served by the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center. West will be joined by PGA TOUR players at the West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center Golf Course for a motivational golf clinic hosted by paraplegic golfer Dennis Walters, a dedication ceremony, autograph session, entertainment and presentation of a six-passenger Club Car golf cart. Dinner will provided compliments of Chick-fil-A. Saturday, February 6, will be "Military Appreciation Day" at Northern Trust Open with a special ceremony at 7:30 a.m. to kick off the third round of competition. PGA TOUR Charities’ Birdies for the Brave initiative (www.birdiesforthebrave.com) is the TOUR’s primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families. About the Northern Trust Open About the PGA TOUR In 2010, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 34 states and in 12 countries outside of the U.S. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 600 million households in 231 countries and 30 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as nonprofit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2009, tournaments on the three Tours generated nearly $109 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to nearly $1.5 billion. The PGA TOUR’s website is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Media contacts:
Cathryn Raia
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