FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing Coming in May

The fifth annual FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing will be held May 21-24, 2006, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. More than 1,000 firefighters from across the nation are expected to participate on 29 Grand Strand courses. As the world's largest firefighter golf benefit, the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing has raised more than $60,000 for the families of fallen firefighters during its four-year history.

Hosted by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the outing involves four days of activities for firefighters and their families. Starting on Sunday and Monday, May 21-22, firefighters can hone their skills on Myrtle Beach area golf courses. On Tuesday, May 23, firefighters will enjoy a practice round before the four-person best ball FDNY 9-11 Tournament tees off on Wednesday, May 24, with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start.

The firefighters will have lots to do after golf. On Monday night is the Pairings Party, Tuesday is annual Jimmy Young Memorial Belly Flop Contest, and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing Picnic will happen on Wednesday after the tournament.

Registration for the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing opens on Monday, March 13. The $370 fee includes four nights of accommodations, three rounds of golf, the Monday night Pairings Party and the Wednesday afternoon picnic at Springmaid Resort. Firefighters can register by calling 866/228-8100. More information is available online at www.fdnygolf.com.

"The FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing is one of our biggest events of the year with more than 1,000 firefighters coming from across the country to participate," said Bill Golden, vice president and director of marketing for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. "When you meet these firefighters at the FDNY 9-11 event, only then can you comprehend the passion and camaraderie that the firefighters share in their brotherhood. The firefighters are an inspirational group of people to be around, and we are proud to be a part of what is one of the biggest events on the Myrtle Beach calendar."

Participating Myrtle Beach area golf courses include Aberdeen Country Club, Arrowhead Country Club, Glen Dornoch, Heather Glen Golf Links, International Club, King's North at Myrtle Beach National, Legends, Man O'War Golf, Meadowlands Golf Club, Myrtlewood Golf Club, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, Pine Lakes International Country Club, Prestwick Country Club, River Oaks Golf Plantation, South Creek at Myrtle Beach National, The Witch, The Wizard, TPC of Myrtle Beach, True Blue Plantation, Wachesaw Plantation East, Waterway Hills, West Course at Myrtle Beach National, Wicked Stick, Willbrook Plantation Golf Club, Wild Wing and World Tour.

Originated by former New York City firefighter, Kevin O'Brien, the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing raises money for The Thomas Elsasser Fund and a holding account that will begin distributing funds in 2007.

The Thomas Elsasser Fund is backed by the United Firefighters Association (UFA) to benefit families of fallen firefighters. The tournament provides an opportunity for firefighters, many of whom assisted in the recovery efforts at Ground Zero, to gather in the "Golf Capital of the World." The tournament is an offspring of O'Brien's original event, the Alfred E. Ronaldson Spring Golf Classic, which benefitted the family of Ronaldson following his death. During the 10-year span, the Ronaldson event hosted more than 10,000 golfers on 18 courses in New York and Florida.

"We are very excited to continue our relationship with Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday in 2006," said O'Brien, director of the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. "Myrtle Beach is the ideal place to host a tournament of this magnitude because no other golf destination in the United States can handle our large number of firefighters. The FDNY Tournament is already the world's largest firefighter golf benefit and we look forward to growing this tournament and raising more money for the families of fallen firefighters."