Military, Police, Fire Rescue Get Free Admission at Innisbrook This Weekend

The Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA, recently announced it will honor men and women who have served in the armed forces at the ISPS Handa Legends Tour Open Championship at Innisbrook Resort this weekend. The tournament’s final round will coincide with Veterans Day.

The event will take place this weekend, Nov. 10-11, at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort in Palm Harbor, FL.

Active and retired military personnel, law enforcement and first responders will receive complementary grounds admission with one adult guest on both Saturday and Sunday during the tournament. In addition, they will be issued credentials for access to a special Military Hospitality tent adjacent to the ninth green for shaded front-row seating, snacks and beverages.

A uniformed serviceman will tend the flagstick on the No. 9 green for each professional pairing in the event. The Military Hospitality area will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  on Saturday and Sunday.

“Historically, we have offered free admission to all military members at all of our tournaments,” said Jane Blalock, founding member and CEO of The Legends Tour. “We wanted to build on that this year and make it more special considering the timing of our final round. Obviously, we think of their tremendous service and sacrifice year-round, but we have a unique opportunity to thank them here on a day of national remembrance.”

Sunday’s final round will feature 22 members across all branches of the military dressed in their respective colors walking the fairways as standard bearers. One serviceman or woman will walk with each professional pairing and display the players’ scores on a hand-held standard.

At 4 p.m. following play, the championship trophy ceremony will be held in the No. 1 fairway and include a five-person color guard from nearby MacDill Air Force Base. The guard will present an American flag to local assistant chief of police Cedric Gordon, whose daughter, Army Spc. Brittany B. Gordon, was killed recently while serving in Afghanistan.

In addition, Para-Commandos from Special Operations Command, will jump from 12,500 feet and land on the fairway to honor the troops and congratulate the tournament champion. The Para-Commandos skydiving team typically free falls approximately two miles and reaches speeds in excess of 120 mph.

Advance grounds passes for the military are available at all Florida and Georgia area AAA branches. Free admission at the gate requires official military ID. Juniors under 17 are also admitted free of charge.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Public parking is available at Klosterman and Belcher Road adjacent to Innisbrook Resort and includes complementary shuttle service to the Island Course.

For more tournament details, visit www.thelegendstour.com.