Inaugural Military Appreciation Day to take place at Toshiba Classic

The PGA Champions Tour’s Toshiba Classic, celebrating its 21st year of play in 2015, will have its inaugural Military Appreciation Day presented by VerdeWatts on Oct. 31 at Newport Beach Country Club.

As part of Military Appreciation Day, which will benefit the One/One Foundation and the Open Hearts for Purple Hearts Foundation, all former and active military members and up to three of their guests will be honored with complimentary admission and food and beverage to thank them for their service to our country.

To pre-register, eligible military members can visit www.toshibaclassic.com/military-appreciation-day/.

Additionally, the tournament will have a Military Appreciation Village, an interactive area open to the public Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1, allowing patrons of the Toshiba Classic to participate in the “Chip in for Heroes” donation program, “Message for Military,” and the Flak Jacket Putting Contest.

“It really means a lot to all of us involved with the Toshiba Classic to honor all former and active military through the tournament’s first Military Appreciation Day,” tournament director Jeff Purser said in a release. “Southern California has an immense military population, and we’re excited to play a small role in giving back for the incredible sacrifices they make for all of us each and every day.”

Tournament gates will open at 8 a.m. on Oct. 31, and the Military Appreciation Village will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will have a number of scheduled events, including a formal, full-color guard presentation and national anthem opening ceremony on the first tee at 10 a.m.

With the day being Halloween, Toshiba is planning special activities for children 12 and under. At 2 p.m. there will be a Children’s Halloween Costume Contest and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a special “Trick or Treat” at the Corporate Hospitality Tents. The day concludes with a special closing ceremony and presentation of donations at the 18th green.

The 26th annual Toshiba Classic tees off on Oct. 26 through Nov. 1 at Newport Beach Country Club. The tournament’s move from its long-standing March timeframe positions this Toshiba Classic as the last before the Tour Championship, a popular week for tournament play.

Tickets are on sale now at www.toshibaclassic.com/tickets/, by calling (949) 660-1001, or at participating Roger Dunn Golf Stores with one-day tickets priced at $25 in advance of the event.

The Toshiba Classic’s lead charity and operator is Hoag Hospital Foundation, and this year’s tournament will benefit the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag for the fifth consecutive year. The Hoag Hospital Foundation received the inaugural PGA Champions Tour Charity of the Year Award in 1998.

For more information on the Toshiba Classic, visit www.ToshibaClassic.com.

— From staff reports