Phil Hicks

The Wounded Warrior Pro-Am Golf Tournament, which benefits military personnel who have been severely injured, has gone national.

The tournament, which is scheduled for May 12 at The Cascades Golf Club, got a mention on The O'Reilly Factor and is featured prominently on www.billoreilly.com, said tournament spokesman Dick Goetz.

"It was great to see that we are being mentioned nationally," said Goetz, who is competing in a pro-am in Wilmington, N.C., this weekend.

"Our main objective is to bring awareness to these soldiers who have been wounded, and show how we support them. Plus, we want to raise money on their behalf."

The Wounded Warrior Project is charged with raising awareness and enlisting the public's aid for the needs of severely injured men and women, and to direct programs and services to meet their needs.

The pro-am proceeds will be delivered to the following Wounded Warrior Projects: Marine Corp Base Camp Legeune, N.C.; Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston (the preeminent burn unit in the United States), near San Antonio; and to Disabled Sports USA, which is providing re-acclimation programs for war veterans.

Each team in the pro-am is comprised of one PGA Professional and four amateurs. The team format is one gross ball and one net ball of the five some. Amateurs will receive 75 percent of the handicap.

But it's not just golf.

Goetz said a ceremony is being planned before the tournament. State Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) will be master of ceremonies. Lunch is set for 11:30 a.m. and then about 12:15 or 12:30 p.m. there will be a Black Hawk Helicopter flyover.

There will also be an honor guard as well as other patriotic songs and the national anthem.

Also, six wounded veterans from Brooke Army Medical Center will be flown to Tyler for the tournament by Jet Center of Tyler.

And Joey Bozik, a triple amputee who was injured by an IED in Iraq, will play in the tournament.

There will be a 1 p.m. start.

Goetz said the tourney is still in need of hole sponsors, which are $500. Individuals may sign up to play as well. Entry fee is $1,000 per team and individuals may signup as well. Entry deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.

For an entry form, go to www.ntpga.com. Return form and payment to Wounded Warrior Pro-Am - Northern Texas PGA, 15150 Preston Road, Suite 250, Dallas, Texas, 75248.

For more information, contact the Northern Texas PGA at 214-420-7421.

Or Goetz said call Kenny Huff, The Cascades pro, or Steve Braley, president of The Cascades, at 903-593-7741 if you want to enter this worthwhile event.

It would be a great way to show your support for our troops.

Phil Hicks
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