SUMMIT, New Jersey – The legends of the NFL are returning to New Jersey for the NFL Alumni Ventures 14th Annual “Rival Golf Classic” on Oct. 24, when the former stars of the AFC and NFC will battle it out to raise awareness and funds for PGA HOPE.
This year’s event will take place at Canoe Brook Country Club, host to numerous competitive events including the US Open and British Open Qualifiers, the US Women’s Amateur, the New Jersey State Amateur (NJSGA), the Met Open, and the American Junior Golf Championship.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military engagement program of the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America.
Led by PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE is a rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotions well-being.
Participants of PGA HOPE programs include military Veterans living with physical or cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among other challenges.
The NJGF offers PGA HOPE golf instructional clinics at six strategic locations across the state, and programming is offered Free to all Veterans. PGA HOPE is the only adaptive golf program that has an MOU with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables VA Staff to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.
The Event Committee Incudes Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and NBC Analyst Colonel Jack Jacobs, 15-Year NFL Quarterback Gus Frerotte, Ex-Jets & Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum, and Former President of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg. Title Sponsors of the event are Kellogg’s and Keurig Dr Pepper.
The 2022 Honorees include the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Frank Bisignano, Chairman and CEO of FISERV, for his work as a Board Member at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families; National Service Award Winner Jay Glazer of the NFL Insider and FOX Sports Founder, Merging Vets & Players; and will celebrate the achievements of the Front-Line Hero Awards which have yet to be announced.
NFL Alumni Ventures is working with Gilly Group, a women-owned sports marketing agency, on sponsorship and marketing efforts as they work to grow the event across two courses and incorporate new elements into the event.
The event will include a VIP Sunday night NFL Watch Party, live NFLA Podcasts from the course with some of the talent including HOF Lawrence Taylor (Giants), HOF Anthony Munoz (Bengals), HOF Gilbert Brown (Packers), HOF Harry Carson (Giants), Mike Tomscak (Browns), Ahman Green (Packers), Dorsey Levens (Packers), Jim Burt (Giants), Dave Lapham (Bengals), Frank Stams (Browns), Leroy Hoard (Browns), Ottis Anderson (Giants), Kenny Anderson (Bengals), Jim Breech (Bengals), Bruce Harper (Jets), and Marques Ogden (Bills).
Sponsorship and activation opportunities are available, as are a limited number of foursomes. Please email sami@gillygroup.com for more information.
