Photo courtesy of The Founders Club

Veteran's Day may have been yesterday, but there's no harm in celebrating the individuals who've served and sacrificed, or who are currently serving, our country every day. Particularly, the members of The Founders Golf & Social Club had a special announcement and exciting event to announce for veterans recently. The private Sarasota Golf Course and Country Club may usually bond over competitive camaraderie, the game of golf, fine dining and drinks, but they also connect on a common thread of community and philanthropy. The Founders Club will be the host site for the inaugural “Heroes Ladies Intercollegiate” golf tournament on February 7-9, 2021. Events surrounding this 54 hole stroke play tournament will benefit The Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, an active duty, causality assistance, recovery, transition and veterans nonprofit organization that provides financial support beyond what the government and Veterans Affairs can offer to U.S. Army Rangers and the families of those who have died, been disabled or who are currently serving around the world.

The organization is headed and co-founded by James (Jim) and Mary Regan, in memory of their son Sgt James J. Regan who was killed in action in 2007. “We are so excited to be joining The Founders Golf Club, Purdue University and the rest of the collegiate field and our charity supporters for this very unique and powerful event,” says James Regan. "We are grateful to Devon Brouse [Head Coach of Purdue's Women's Golf] for teaming up with the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, a foundation formed to honor the life and legacy of our son. The funds we raise at this event will go towards supporting the ongoing financial needs of the Rangers and families of the elite Special Operations 75th Ranger Regiment, well beyond what our government can offer."

Hosted by Purdue University, the tournament is said to be one of the top women’s collegiate golf events in the country, featuring 15 women’s NCAA Division I golf teams from the BIG 10, BIG 12, SEC and ACC conferences. "We look forward to welcoming players and coaches from all the teams, their fans and alumni and the supporters of the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund," shares The Founders Golf Club General Manager Juliette Valin. The collegiate teams will compete in a 3-day stroke play format beginning Saturday, February 7. The Founders Club has hosted USGA Championship qualifiers in the past including the Men’s US Open and the Men’s US Senior Open, so the team is confident the Club grounds and golf course will provide the ladies with a fun and challenging venue to determine the 2021 Heroes Ladies Intercollegiate champion.

“College athletics has been part of my entire life so to see these talented collegiate ladies compete on this challenging golf course will be quite a spectacle," shares Coach Lou Holtz, featured speaker and football coach/analyst. "But most importantly, to be able to help raise some money for those Army Ranger families whose loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice, or who endured life-changing injuries and continue to put the pieces back in their lives truly pulls at my heartstrings. At the end of the day, we have the freedom to do what we do because of the actions of these true American heroes.”

More information about the Heroes Ladies Intercollegiate can be found by contacting jrasho@thefoundersgolfclub. com. For more information on the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, additional sponsorship opportunities or ways to make a contribution, visit leadthewayfund.org or contact golf@leadthewayfund.org

Photo courtesy of The Founders Club