More Than a Game: Honoring Heroes One Hole at a Time
WAYNE, N.J. - For many in New Jersey, Memorial Day Weekend signals the unofficial start of summer—a chance to unwind at the shore, gather with family for a barbecue, snag a bargain at the store, or simply enjoy a few extra days of rest at home. There tends to be an oversight of the real reason behind the long weekend. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor fallen servicemen and women of the U.S. military. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying the long weekend, it's worth remembering that our freedom to do so was secured by those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Brian Mackey, Director of Instruction at North Jersey Country Club, holds Memorial Day close to his heart. His deep respect for the holiday is rooted in personal history—his grandfather served in combat during World War II, and his father enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968, fighting in Vietnam. Between them, they were awarded three Purple Hearts, a solemn recognition of their courage and sacrifice.
“I've always been an advocate for veteran care and being respectful and paying attention to those that have come before us in terms of people making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Mackey expressed.
For the past several years, Mackey has used his role in golf to honor those on Memorial Day, while raising funds for several organizations that align with different veteran and military causes. Mackey has done this with a personal marathon at North Jersey —walking and playing 100 holes of golf as a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"It hit me that even though it's a fun thing and it's going towards a good cause, Memorial Day is not really a holiday. It shouldn't be viewed as a holiday,” Mackey explained. “It’s a day of remembrance, respect, and it's pretty somber. I had to make it more of a tribute to the fallen. So, I decided to walk the hundred holes the next year.”
This weekend, Mackey will be joined by several fellow New Jersey PGA professionals in a series of 100-hole marathons and fundraising events at their respective clubs. Nick Bova of Hamilton Farm Golf Club and Mark DeLaura of Crestmont Country Club will each take on a 100-hole golf challenge, while David Reasoner of The Ridgewood Country Club, Bill Hook of Knickerbocker Country Club, and Grant Sturgeon of Arcola Country Club will lead fundraising efforts at their home courses.
“Some of the guys that I am associated with in the golf business could sense my emotion just from some of the posts on social media,” Mackey added. “They reached out and said, ‘Hey, we really want to do something with you next year. How do we do this?’ Now this is morphing into this bigger thing where we're all playing these marathons on the same day. I really appreciate their support.”
At first glance, playing 100 holes of golf might seem like a lighthearted or straightforward challenge—but for Brian Mackey, it’s a solemn and deeply emotional journey.
“It was extremely emotional for me. I was crying the whole time because you just think about those that couldn't walk anymore, those that helped get my dad out of the jungle, those that went up the beach with my grandfather at Iwo Jima that were never able to come home,” Mackey declared. “Here I am, a golf pro. I get to be a dad, and I get to be a husband, and I get to do all these awesome things that a lot of people never got to do because they put themselves in harm's way and took care of us.”
Without the support of member clubs like North Jersey, these fundraisers wouldn’t be as successful as they are.
"I've been there six years, and each year we raise more and more and more,” Mackey said of North Jersey. “The next thing you know they'll have extensions of their family reach out. That's a testament to the people they are. There's a very vast web of military service amongst the membership. We have some people that served, we have people that have had family members serve. It’s a topic that they appreciate and they're not afraid to talk about it, and they just respond in such an extraordinary way.”
While funds raised this weekend will go toward the Folds of Honor organization, it will also be split between Golf Fore Veterans, Backpacks for Life and the New Jersey Golf Foundation.
As you gather with friends for a round of golf or fire up the grill this Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning behind the federal holiday.
“As we do these marathons, the biggest thing is making sure people understand that this day, although you can go to the beach and you can do all that, it's because somebody made a huge sacrifice,” Mackey added. “A group of people collectively made a massive sacrifice. That’s the message that I constantly want to get across. It's fine to have your fun, but just please take a moment, close your eyes, be grateful for where we are and what we have, and just try to think about one of those gold star families for just one second and think about what they're going through on a day like Memorial Day.”
Those wishing to donate, can reach out to Brian Mackey at bmackey@pga.com.
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