New Jersey Golf Pros Embark on 24-Hour Memorial Day Golf Challenge
GLADSTONE, N.J. - Two New Jersey-based golf pros, Mark DeLaura and Nick Bova, and former North Jersey Country Club Director of Instruction Brian Mackey are flipping the calm, peaceful game of golf into a 24-hour challenge of mental fortitude. On Sunday, May 24, the three co-founders of Golf Fore Veterans will be playing for 24 straight hours at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, NJ, in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.
The three co-founders of Golf Fore Veterans recognize that what they’ll be attempting is nothing compared to what service men and women go through daily; that’s exactly what drives them to do it. Mackey, DeLaura and Bova’s personal connections to veterans have created a commitment to use golf as a vehicle to honor, support, and give back to those who have served.
DeLaura, the Head Golf Professional at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, will be honoring his grandfather, who served in World War II, and brother-in-law, who passed while in combat as a staff sergeant in 2012.
This endurance-based fundraiser is not the first feat of mental fortitude for Mackey on a golf course. Last Memorial Day, the now Florida-based Director of Instruction of BallenIsles Country Club took on a 100-hole, 12-hour walk dubbed “A Walk to Remember.”
Bova and DeLaura will join Mackey for this year’s fundraiser, spending all 24 hours in familiar territory for Bova, who is the director of instruction at the host Hamilton Farm Golf Club.
The event rightfully made national headlines as the trio joined Fox and Friends on Fox News to further discuss the event and their cause. They will be joined on Sunday by veterans connected to Golf Fore Veterans throughout their 24-hour journey. While none of the other participants are required or expected to golf the entire fundraiser, their support will be what helps Bova, Mackey and DeLaura fight through.
“Golf has tremendous healing powers,” said Mackey on Fox and Friends.
While active-duty members are on the front lines keeping the United States safe, Mackey urges others to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the ability to take part in activities like golf, barbecuing and relaxing poolside or beachside.
The fundraiser event begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday, going into Memorial Day and finishing around 4 p.m. the next day.
“We’re gonna go round and round, [get] as many holes as we can get in,” said Bova on Fox and Friends.
Donate to Golf Fore Veterans here.
NJ Golf Social Media
For the latest updates and news, visit njgolf.org or follow New Jersey Golf on Facebook, X and Instagram at @njgolf1900.
