Week-Long Celebration of Service Benefits Wounded Veterans through Tee It Up for the Troops Raises $70,000
Jorge Guerrero named Veteran of the Year
Beaufort, SC --- Once again, Dataw Island members and supporters presented an amazing week-long celebration of service to benefit wounded veterans. Together, the events raised nearly $70,000 to benefit Tee It Up for the Troops and local veterans organizations!
“Every year our members come together in support of veterans, and every year they outdo themselves,” says General Manager Ted Bartlett. “The sacrifices made to present all these events and the fundraising efforts are simply phenomenal.”
It all began about seventeen years ago when the Dataw Men’s Golf Association was considering a charitable organization for a golfing event. The celebration then included a tournament, a dinner, and a short program around the flagpole where residents were inspired to remember and recognize all veterans. This activity soon morphed into a much larger event resulting in financial support to veteran service organizations such as Wounded Warriors, Folds of Honor, and others, and hence the Dataw Veterans Golf Classic was formed.
In 2017, the event chair teamed with Tee It Up for the Troops (TIUFTT), a highly regarded non-profit whose vision is “to help active-duty service members, veterans and their families from all branches and all conflicts to heal, transition, grow and thrive.” And they have accomplished just that, impacting the lives of 304,595 heroes, through 690 events, donating over $15,000,000 to partnering veteran support organizations that direct grants for critical areas of need. Partner organizations are held accountable for the use of donated funds, some of which are groups in our own backyard. We recognize that when people donate to organizations, they want to make sure their hard-earned money is making a difference. TIUFTT is committed to being a good steward of the funds entrusted to them, and they have been awarded a perfect rating by three third-party nonprofit watchdogs – Charity Navigator, GreatNonprofits, and GuideStar.
In addition to the substantial donation to the Tee It Up for the Troops organization, Dataw donations also benefited local and regional veteran’s organizations such as Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12, PGA Reach Carolinas, PGA HOPE Charleston, Fischer House Charleston, Fairway for Warriors, BMH Adaptive Golf Experience (Parris Island), Adaptive Golf Savannah, and Leases of Valor.
“We should never forget the service and sacrifice of the many brave men and women of the Armed Forces whose needs can never be fully met by our nation,” says event chair Phil Marshall. “I am grateful that again this year Dataw showed tremendous support for this significant annual fundraiser to help deliver critical services to our beloved veterans.”
A VERY special Thank You to ALL of the volunteers, especially our Event Chairs, Phil and Mary Marshall.
VETERANS WEEK DETAILS:
The week began with three brand new events as members tried their hand at putting bocce ball, and tennis to raise money for Veterans. The annual “Flag Brigade” saw volunteers line the streets with 3,500 American flags, followed by a “Big Break” superintendent’s revenge-style golf tournament. The day culminated in a happy hour like none other… guest bartenders volunteer and raise money as attendees Tip It Up for the Troops at the Dataw Island Pub.
Monday featured an Adaptive Golf Tournament for local and visiting veterans. Tuesday began with a Veterans March and Pomp & Circumstance Ceremony, where veterans of all ages and their supporters gathered for an interactive flag ceremony, complete with musical performances by the Dataw Singers, the pledge, the presentation of the SC Governor’s Proclamation declaring Dataw Island Tee It Up For The Troops Day, presentation of the colors, and an exciting Helicopter Ball Drop!
Afterwards, a full field of golfers – including 75 guest veterans – enjoyed the Veterans Golf Classic & Cookout on both the Cotton Dike course and the Arthur Hills Morgan River course. Afterwards, we welcomed Captain JT Coyne as our esteemed speaker.
Wednesday evening the Lowcountry Symphony presented a magical Salute to Service concert! Events wrapped on Thursday with perhaps one of the most special events as Dataw Island Veterans were honored at the Veterans Breakfast. The annual breakfast welcomed Ret. Sgt. Mjr. Jorge Guerrero, who was also honored with the presentation of a handmade quilt made by the Dataw Quilters.
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Dataw Island is a gated golf, tennis and boating lifestyle community located fifteen minutes outside of historic downtown Beaufort. The island features two golf courses by designers Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, a tennis center, a full-service marina, Community Center with workout and massage facilities, three restaurants, world class croquet lawns, bocce, kayaking, pickleball, and more. The community has also been ranked the number one best retirement destination in South Carolina by Best Retirement Destinations and is the recipient of 2019 and 2020 “Best Golf Community” from Ideal-Living and “Best Community” from 2021-2023, as well as the “Club of the Year” (South Carolina Golf Association) and one of four private clubs named by USTA as an “Outstanding Tennis Facility.”