It isn’t about making par when Tee It Up for the Troops comes to Bunker Hills Golf Club. The annual charity tournament, which raises money for veterans’ causes, celebrated its tenth anniversary in Coon Rapids on Friday. Each year at the start of the tournament, golf is paired with a bit of fanfare in an opening ceremony that is both celebratory and solemn.
Tee It Up for the Troops began in 2005 as a way to thank members of the military for their sacrifice, while also raising thousands of dollars. Organizers of the Bunker Hills Tee It Up for the Troops hope to raise $40-50,000 during the event. The tournament director acknowledges that COVID-19 could make that goal harder to achieve this year.
About half the proceeds from Tee It Up for the Troops go to national veterans’ charities. The other half stays in the north metro. The tournament identifies 3-4 local veterans’ organizations and programs to donate to each year.
They also accept donations online at teeitupforthetroops.org or by texting SALUTE to 44321.