Fairways for Freedom® helps injured veterans assimilate back into society through holistic initiatives and the game of golf
Many U.S. Veterans struggle with physical disabilities, including loss of limbs, and with mental-health issues such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Fairways for Freedom program provides combat-injured Veterans with instruction and practice in evidence-informed, clinically tested, self-regulation techniques; opportunities for therapeutic, recreational, and community-building social activities; training on healthy lifestyle choices; and education about community-based Veterans resources for post-retreat reintegration.
Our goal is also to connect leaders in the business community (Ambassador/Donors) with combat-injured Veterans through the game of golf. Business professionals serve as not only sponsors to the Veterans, but also as mentors, and, in turn, learn what true sacrifice is all about. The great courses of Ireland and Scotland, for example, provide an exhilarating environment for building these relationships.
Fairways for Freedom® Announces a New Nationwide Program: “Play 18 for 22” for Veteran Suicide Awareness
Fairways for Freedom® is embarking on a new and ambitious program to increase awareness of the veteran suicide epidemic and work toward ending it once and for all. The program is called “Play 18 for 22” and will focus attention on the fact that tragically 22 U.S. service men and women take their own lives every day. FFF’s contention is that this statistic is simply not acceptable, and we intend to do something about it.
The “Play 18 for 22” program is the brainchild of Lt. Col. (Ret) Carolyn Fota, a combat-injured veteran who participated in our first trip to Ireland. When she finished her round at Old Head Golf Club in driving rain and wind, accompanied by FFF co-Founder Dr. Patricia Donnelly and the lone caddie who stuck out the round, Fota dropped to the 18th green and performed 20 push-ups, plus one (for the one who is never forgotten). FFF volunteers John Sanabia, Tim Young and Jason Miller (all combat-injured veterans) will be spearheading the campaign for FFF.
Rescheduled:
Two Trips for 2020 now set for 2021 — The historic
British Open courses of Southeast England
and a return to the classic gems of Northwest Ireland
Due to COVID-19 and resulting concerns about the safety of our veterans, ambassadors and staff, our two international trips, originally scheduled for September 2020, have been postponed to September 2021. The two itineraries remain the same:
On the first trip, we still plan to tour the best courses of Ireland’s Inishowen Peninsula and stay the entire week at a first-class golf hotel. Two ambassador spots are currently available for the 2021 trip! The new exact dates will be announced soon. We will play six incredible rounds, including Ballyliffin-Glashedy (site of the 2018 Irish Open), three courses at Rosapenna (Sandy Hills, Old Tom Morris and the brand-new St Patrick’s), and the magnificent and redesigned Portsalon Golf Club.
On a new trip (and new destination for FFF) the following week, we will play six magnificent courses on the English coast, including the historic courses of the British Open — Royal St. George’s, Princes and Royal Cinque Ports, again staying the entire week in a fabulous luxury hotel. One ambassador spot is currently available.
Email fairways4freedom@gmail.com if you would like to be an ambassador on either of these trips or if you would like to sponsor a veteran.
