Utah golf courses show charitable side

A number of golf courses in Utah have charity to the tee.

Saturday, courses throughout Utah and the rest of the country will collect $1 per golfer to donate to the Wounded Warriors, Inc., which will benefit the families of soldiers who have become disabled or lost their lives in military duty.

At Sleepy Ridge in Orem, the 18-hole golf course will donate a day's worth of green fees paid by golfers and give it to military families.

"It's something we'd like to do to repay those who have sacrificed so much," said Golden Holt, president of Golden Fairways, overseer of the course management and operation.

Said Sleepy Ridge head pro Devin York: "It's something we sat down and decided to do because it's a good cause and the right thing to do.

"Golden took the lead on this and decided we would take all the money from green fees collected on Saturday and give it to the fund. ... We're happy to do it." Other courses that have registered to collect donations throughout Utah include Eagle Mountain, Copper Hills, Soldier Hollow, Ben Lomond, Roosevelt, Willow Creek, Sun River, Bloomington, Coral Canyon and Schneiter's Bluff.

The money will benefit the Fallen Heroes Foundation. Actual programs may vary among participating facilities.

"As of March 22 we have lost 3,233 soldiers," said Daniel Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a PGA member who has served two tours in Iraq. "They have given the ultimate sacrifice. America can come together in the spirit of golf and have a dramatic impact. We have an opportunity to make a difference for the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice."

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com