I previously covered two PGA tournaments, including Orlando’s own Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and, just last month, the Drive, Chip & Putt youth challenge at The Masters in Augusta. Both were fun in their own right, but The Players Championship (TPC), held this week in Ponte Vedra Beach, has left an impression on me. Sure, the greens are gorgeous and the world’s most skilled golfers were ready to take on the famous “Island Green.” But I’ve discovered that TPC is also highly focused on charities and honoring our armed forces…and you know that I’m a sucker when it comes philanthropy and giving back.

“Birdies for the Brave” events, in support of our military, kicked off with Operation Shower, a baby shower hosted for 31 military moms-to-be whose husbands are currently deployed. The affair, hosted by Tabitha Furyk, wife of PGA Tour player Jim Furyk, showered the expectant ladies with high-quality products for both baby and mama. On a regular basis, I personally donate clothes and housewares to various veterans’ organizations, including the AMVETS of Orlando, which I’ll continue to do; but, this tear-jerker occasion reminded me of an important military group that I want to reach: military families who are expecting or have young children. Please, if you are interested in donating either new or used baby products to military moms-to-be, I encourage you to reach out to the national or local organization of your choice.

The Military Appreciation Day Ceremony, held on the clubhouse lawn, was definitely a highlight for me. A huge crowd cheered during a pageantry of military personnel who marched in to patriotic music, with a flyover by The Warbirds Flyover Team. Then, country music star and Florida native, Jake Owen, performed his chart-topping hits Beachin’, Barefoot Blue Jean Night, Anywhere With You, and popular covers including Ice Ice Baby, Friends In Low Places, and more ─ a tribute to his days as a Florida bar singer. I’ve previously shared that I’m a music manic, so clearly I was excited to have the chance to ask Jake (who mesmerized me with his sparkling eyes) a few questions about his role at TPC and his successful career.

“Performing for the military is always a true honor. I admire what these men and women do to serve our country. I feel it’s my duty to help show my support and generate awareness,” Jake said, who currently has friends on active duty overseas. “I’m most proud of the song I wrote called Journey of Your Life, about my grandfather who served in WWII.” In regards to his return to TPC (he also performed in 2011), Jake, a huge golf fan, said, “I can relate to the privilege of making a living by doing what you love to do!” Of course, I couldn’t help but ask, on behalf of OFM, how family life has impacted his hectic tour schedule. “I’m lucky to have a wife and little girl that enjoy going out on the road with me. My schedule hasn’t really changed that much with the exception that I go to bed earlier, get up a lot earlier, and traded out cabinet space of Jack Daniels for baby diapers.” Jake is currently on the road for his first headlining tour, Days of Gold; Florida shows include Gainesville, Tallahassee (he attended FSU), and Vero Beach (his hometown) ─ though I did make a request to add Orlando.

TPC also held efforts to support health and children focused initiatives, including: a PGA Wives function to benefit a children’s hospital, a Caddie Competition for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) awareness, an instructional clinic for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, an Eagle Scout presentation on local wildlife preservation, and a “Pink Out Day” in support of breast cancer. Plus, aiming to be a family-friendly tournament, just off the 17^th hole, TPC created a kid zone, where PGA Tour player Sergio Garcia hosted an interactive golf experience with “Game Truck,” a mobile, video-game theatre with a section of Xbox360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 games.  If you’re interested in taking your family to a PGA event, The Players Championship is a great option because of its proximity to Central Florida and its family-friendly atmosphere.

Won’t you join me in supporting our military moms and dads? Which military organizations do you support? Check out our photos from Military Appreciation Day on Facebook!