PGA Director of Instruction Brian Mackey Leads “A Walk to Remember” at North Jersey Country Club

The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the (501c3) charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), has announced that a team of New Jersey PGA Professionals participated in a series of 100-hole golf marathons over Memorial Day Weekend raising more $125,000, while paying tribute to fallen heroes and their families.

Brian Mackey, the Director of Instruction at North Jersey Country Club (Wayne, NJ) led “A Walk to Remember,” walking and playing 100-holes of golf at his home club, while Mark DeLaura (Crestmont CC), and Nick Bova (Hamilton Farm GC) hosted 100-hole golf marathons at their facilities. Grant Sturgeon (Arcola CC), Bill Hook (Knickerbocker CC) and David Reasoner (The Ridgewood CC) supported the initiative by hosting fundraisers at their respective clubs.
Proceeds from the Memorial Day events will support PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) New Jersey, Folds of Honor, the recently established Golf Fore Veterans and Backpacks for Life.

“Memorial Day Weekend is a time to honor, remember and respect all of the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life, both overseas and those that fell victim to the emotional wounds they brought home with them,” said Brian Mackey, Director of Instruction, North Jersey CC and Co-Founder, Golf Fore Veterans. “My colleagues and I walked and played 100 holes of golf to pay tribute to America’s heroes while holding all of the Gold Star families in our hearts on such a somber day.”

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) New Jersey, the signature military program of the New Jersey Golf Foundation, is a rehabilitative golf program for Veterans and Active-duty Military that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Led by more than 100 NJPGA Professionals, golf programming is now available in all 15 NJPGA serving counties, positively impacting 500+ Veterans across the state annually.
Additionally, Folds of Honor provides education scholarships to spouses and children of fallen heroes, while Golf FORE Veterans, a non-profit organization created by NJPGA Professionals Brian Mackey, Mark DeLaura, Nick Bova, Grant Sturgeon, David Reasoner, Bill Hook and Retired US Army Veteran, Krystal Cordero, supports a mission to provide financial and emotional support to NJ Veterans and their families. Further, Backpacks for Life provides a personalized support system for homeless and at-risk veterans struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.

Mackey adds, “I want to thank the North Jersey CC family for leading the charge and inspiring the New Jersey golf community to come together for such a meaningful cause. Likewise, I’m so appreciative of my fellow PGA Professionals and their respective clubs for stepping up and enabling us to make a difference.”

For more information on the NJ Golf Foundation’s military programming, please visit www.njgolffoundation.org.