Bank of America Dedicates 2007 Tournament to U.S. Troops
Champions Tour Professionals and Vietnam Veterans Larry Nelson and Ed Dougherty and New England Patriots Linebacker Larry Izzo to Support Military Tribute
Program marks first time wounded military personnel to play in Champions Tour sanctioned event
For Immediate Release, June 5, 2007:
CONCORD, MA — Bank of America, title sponsor of the Bank of America Championship since 1993, is dedicating the 2007 tournament to U.S. troops with a series of activities to honor America’s active duty and veteran military personnel and their families. Through the bank’s involvement with the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, a number of activities will focus on providing sports rehabilitation to soldiers severely wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“At Bank of America, we emphasize community, and no community has been left untouched by America’s conflicts abroad,” said Robert Gallery, Bank of America’s Massachusetts president. “Our involvement with the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project through the Bank of America Championship is a natural extension of endeavors such as our Military Bank that offers specialized products and services to military personnel. Through the activities we have planned at the tournament and financial support from the Bank of America Championship, we’re pleased to offer injured military service men and women the opportunity to continue their rehabilitation through sports.”
New England Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo is also lending his support to the bank's tribute by playing with two wounded veterans in the first round of the Bank of America Championship. In 2005, Izzo made a life-changing visit to U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During that visit, he promised to work on behalf of the troops and their families — a commitment he made in the memory of his father, a graduate of West Point and retired Colonel who passed away in 2003.
“It’s a privilege to team-up with Bank of America to honor our military, especially troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Izzo. “I have seen first-hand the enormous mental and physical demands placed upon the troops who have suffered debilitating injuries in the service of our country. I used to think that the legs and arms were a person’s strength, but in watching their recovery I now know the strongest part of the body is really the heart.”
Activities planned during tournament week will include:
- Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project Golf Clinic, Wednesday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. – Two wounded military veterans who have participated in Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project golf programs will host a clinic for six soldiers recuperating from injuries suffered in the service of our country. During the clinic, Bank of America, along with Champions Tour professionals and Vietnam veterans Larry Nelson and Ed Dougherty, will present these heroes with specialized golf equipment to help them continue their rehabilitation.
- Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project Special Pro-Am Foursome, Thursday, June 21, 1 p.m. – Two wounded military veterans will play in the Championship Pro-Am as guests of Bank of America. The foursome will play with Champions Tour professional Larry Nelson, who also is a veteran of the Vietnam war.
- Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project Group, Friday, June 22 – During the first round of the Bank of America Championship, two disabled veterans will play nine holes of golf with New England Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo. This marks the first time wounded military personnel have played in a Champions Tour sanctioned event. After the round, Bank of America will make a check presentation to the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project and to Larry Izzo Salute to the Troops.
- Military Appreciation Day, Friday, June 22 – All active duty and veteran military personnel will receive free admission to the Bank of America Championship.
“Golf is a sport that challenges players’ minds, spirits and bodies, while entertaining spectators with the drama of individual competition, and we’re more than glad to be able to share this with our active military and veterans, to show appreciation for their sacrifices and to help injured troops recover,” said tournament director Tracy West.
Bank of America has provided specialized financial services to military personnel since 1920. Today, the Military Bank offers special rates, products and services to active duty, retired, or former military members and their dependents, as well as active and retired Federal Government employees, ROTC students, and military reservists/National Guard members. Nationwide, Bank of America provides these specialized financial services for military personnel through more than 270 banking centers, including 34 dedicated Military Bank locations. The overseas division of the Military Bank internationally manages approximately 90 banking centers and more than 300 ATMs in eight foreign countries through a contract with the Department of Defense.
The twenty-seventh annual Bank of America Championship takes place June 18-24 at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord. This is a comeback year for the tournament, which last year became only the third tournament in PGA TOUR history to be cancelled because of inclement weather. Despite the cancellation and through the efforts of many, most importantly Bank of America and the Champions Tour, the Bank of America Championship donated $418,000 to local charities.
This year’s Bank of America Championship field includes Tom Watson in his first tournament appearance and 10 other players among the Champions Tour’s top 20 all time money leaders. The tournament is the oldest 54-hole event on the Champions Tour and has been held at Nashawtuc Country Club since 1984. Over the past 26 years, the tournament has donated more than $4.5 million to local charities. Up-to-date information is available and tickets may be purchased online at www.bankofamericachampionship.com. For corporate or group ticket packages or to order tickets by phone, call toll-free 1-877-559-GOLF.
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 56 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, more than 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 22 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. www.bankofamerica.com.
The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA, its chapters and the Wounded Warrior Project, providing year round sports programs for severely wounded service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict and the Global War on Terrorism. The sudden, traumatic change in physical ability from an injury makes service members vulnerable to psychological and emotional, as well as physical trauma; which severely impacts them and their families. Thirty-seven years of experience has shown early intervention with active sports results in successful rehabilitation, leading to employment. The “Wounded Warriors” and their family members are provided these opportunities free of charge, including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment and individualized instruction in over a dozen different winter and summer sports. Programs take place at sites throughout the United States of America offering Wounded Warriors the opportunity to integrate as participants and mentors in their home communities. Sports success provides a foundation for the development of a positive self-image and outlook on life. This transformation is a key factor in leading an independent, full and productive life.
Contacts:
Joe Goode, National Media Relations
Bank of America
617-434-7314 Office, 781-799-6048 Cell
joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com
Nick Ingala, Media Relations
Bank of America Championship
508-238-2800 Office, 617-291-3495 Cell
njingala@comcast.net
Ayla Hay
Wounded Warrior Project
757-340-7425
ayla@themeridiangroup.com
Kirk Bauer, Executive Director
Disabled Sports USA
301-217-9838
kbauer@dsusa.org
