PGA honors armed forces this weekend

This week the PGA Tour is in Washington D.C. for Tiger’s Tournament.

The AT&T National honors our current service men and women along with our veterans. A great cause during our Fourth of July celebrations. I am very lucky that I have spent the last 20 years going to “work” at the golf course.

I appreciate and love what I do. I also am grateful that I have been afforded this opportunity by the sacrifice of the heroes that volunteer to defend and serve our country.

I would like to say thank you to all of the men and women in our armed forces along with the veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Saying thank you does not seem like much, but it is the least we can do.

The discipline, focus and mental toughness that our armed forces use no matter the task, are the same skills needed to play your best golf.

The discipline to practice, the mental toughness to maintain a good attitude, and the focus to concentrate for your entire round will make you the best player you can be.

The next time you are playing, either good or bad, think about our soldiers, and the tasks they may be faced with.

Soldiers face every task with “honor,” which means they give everything they have and always do their best. They have to because it means life or death. On the golf course it does not mean life or death, however you can still play with “honor,” always give your best effort, never give up and never give in during a round of golf. You will be surprised at what happens.

I remember a press conference where Tiger was asked how he turned his game up a level when he was in contention to win, he said he wished he could, but he gives every shot all he has no matter the circumstance.

This is one reason he is the best. I’m guessing he may have learned this from his father, a soldier.

The Iowa Section PGA has teamed up with the VA in Iowa City and Riverside Casino and Golf Course to introduce our injured veterans to golf. This has been a great program where PGA professionals donate their time to give lessons, golf courses and others have donated clubs, and Riverside donates the facility.