Marathon Golf Tournament to Benefit Wounded Veterans

Beaufort, SC --- Thinking of playing a round of golf over the Veteran’s Day holiday? While you are taking a few swings on the practice range, one Dataw Island Teaching Professional will be golfing nonstop starting before dawn and playing until sundown, all in the name of veteran’s charities.

Chris Fearn, Assistant Golf Pro at Dataw Island (located in Beaufort, SC), will for the fourth year embark on his now-annual Military Golf Marathon, where he hopes to complete at least 200 holes of golf in one day to raise more than $30,000 for veterans and the On Course Foundation USA. Last year, running from shot to shot, he was able to complete 191 holes, which is equivalent to playing 10 ½ rounds of golf, raising $28,500 for veterans.

With supporters pledging per-hole (as well as per-birdie and per-eagle), it’s especially important to Fearn that he gets in as many holes as humanly possible.

“Last year was great,” says Fearn, “But this year I want it to be even better! I’m not sure yet how I’m going to do it, but I really want to reach the 200 mark on holes played.”

Fearn first got a taste for helping veterans four years ago during his first Veterans Day Week at Dataw Island, a community which is home to many veterans and that is supportive of very many more through various projects and events. Since then, his passion has grown, as has his involvement.

“The first Veteran’s Day Tournament that I witnessed at Dataw was one of the greatest things that I have ever been part of. The experience of playing with a disabled veteran is very humbling and it inspired me to want to do more; to help more.”

For the last three years, Fearn has been selected to coach the American Simpson Cup team, an annual Ryder Cup-style tournament between teams of 12 injured servicemen and veterans from the USA and their British counterparts.

“These men and women sacrifice so much for this country and the least we can do is -- do whatever we can to help in any way,” says Fearn, “Whether that is donating to a good cause or just simply being there for a veteran and telling them ‘Thank you’ for their service and sacrifice.”

Dataw Island Director of Golf, Dave Britton, is proud of his members and staff, saying “The support that the entire Dataw community has given the Veteran’s Golf Classic, the Golf Marathon, and all the veteran’s organizations over the years has been unbelievable.”

Many Dataw residents are veterans, and many are golfers – but this is an event supported by so many people who are neither veterans or golfers, or even members; they are citizens who appreciate and honor the sacrifices made by our service people.

Britton adds, “It is a great honor to be involved as part of a community that has such a great heart for supporting our military.”

Fearn will tee off at 4:00 am on Monday, Nov. 6, using glow-in-the-dark balls and accompanied by an entourage of Dataw Club members and veterans armed only with flashlights and smiles. Fearn hopes to again get an early start for an extended day of fundraising.

To pledge your support, please visit or call the Dataw Golf Shop at (843) 838-8250. Out-of-area supporters are invited to pledge online by visiting the On Course Foundation website.