'Freedom Friday' Kicks-Off Marriott's 2nd Annual 'Fairways-Fore-FREEdom'

“Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” Supports the Men and Women who Protect America by Offering Free & Discount Golf at Marriott Courses Nationwide

(ORLANDO, Fla.) - Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators and the golf management organization of Marriott International, announced that “Freedom Friday” kicks-off the company’s 2nd Annual “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” military golf program. On Friday, May 24, 2013, in coordination with the On Course Foundation, servicemen, servicewomen and veterans who were wounded in combat were invited to play golf for free at one of 19 Marriott-managed golf properties.

“Freedom Friday” is a prelude to Marriott’s nationwide “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” military golf program, designed to support the men and women of the military who are dedicated to protecting America’s freedom. In celebrating America’s armed forces, “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” provides active, reserve and retired military personnel with both free and discount golf from Memorial Day through Veteran’s Day at over 19 acclaimed Marriott Golf facilities throughout the United States.

“The men and women of the armed forces stand at the frontline of our freedom and this golf program is a small gesture to show our appreciation for the many sacrifices that these individuals make for us,” said Jim Keane, Senior Director of Operations, Marriott Golf. “In 2013, we are excited to add ‘Freedom Friday’ to the program and use the great game of golf to honor those brave individuals who have been injured in combat.”

As part of the inaugural May 24 “Freedom Friday” initiative, Marriott Golf aligned with the On Course Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides long-term benefits for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen, servicewomen and veterans through monthly, nationwide golf skills and employment training events. Through On Course, dozens of deserving men and women teed it up at participating Marriott Golf courses for a round of complimentary golf to start the Memorial Day weekend, and officially kick-off the “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” program.

“The On Course Foundation is extremely excited to work with Marriott Golf and celebrate ‘Freedom Friday’ in support of America’s armed forces,” said John McAfee, National Liaison Officer, On Course Foundation USA. “The men and women we work with are the bravest of the brave and have given so much back to their country. They greatly appreciate when companies like Marriott honor them with programs like ‘Fairways-Fore-FREEdom.’”

Following the “Freedom Friday” festivities, which took place in the morning on Friday, May 24, the “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” program will commence. As part of “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom,” which ends on Veteran’s Day 2013 (November 11), members of the armed forces who present a valid military ID card can take advantage of discounted twilight green fees/carts, ranging from just $29 - $69, while receiving a free replay certificate for another day. The free replay certificates will be valid until December 31, 2013. The program is available after 3 p.m. any day of the week at participating Marriott Golf courses, and all tee times can be made up to three days in advance. In some cases, select Marriott Golf properties will even extend the hours that the special offer is available, further enhancing the value of the program and enabling eligible military personnel to experience the company’s prestigious collection of championship golf courses.

Participating courses in the “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” military golf program represent some of the country’s premier championship venues, including: Camelback Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Starr Pass Golf Club, Tucson, Ariz.; Wildfire Golf Club, Phoenix, Ariz.; Desert Springs Golf Resort, Palm Desert, Calif.; Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Palm Desert, Calif.; Grande Pines Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Grande Vista Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Falcon’s Fire Golf Club, Kissimmee, Fla.; Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg, Fla. (hotel stay required); The Rookery at Marco, Naples, Fla. (hotel stay required); Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, Lihue, Hawaii; Crane’s Landing Golf Club, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Willow Crest Golf Club, Oak Brook, Ill.; Griffin Gate Golf Club, Lexington, Ky.; Toftrees Golf Club, State College, Pa.; Cattails Golf Club, Kingsport, Tenn.; and Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Nashville, Tenn. In total, more than 20 golf courses located at Marriott Golf properties will participate in the program, which will provide military personnel with arguably the greatest golf values in the country today. For more information on the program, visit www.marriottgolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com