The Annual Heroes Memorial Golf Tournament
(HMGT) at St. James Plantation, Southport, NC
September 25th thru 28th, 2024
The Heroes Memorial Golf Tournament (HMGT), formally known as The Kiely Golf Tournament, has been with us since 2008 when Jim Kiely, a retired US Secret Service (USSS) Special Agent (SA) living at St. James Plantation (SJP), banded together with other USSS/SA’s retirees and friends to play in the first Kiely Golf Tournament. Jim was our first Champion golfer In 2012 Jim passed away and the golf tournament he started was named in his honor.
The Kiely Golf Tournament continued to grow as the retired/working residents living in St. James joined the fun from numerous diverse backgrounds (US Military, Federal/State/Local Government, Business Professionals). These groups developed friendships, rekindled old associations, and shared their passion for the game of golf while enjoying family events that surround this golf weekend celebration.
In 2017 we lost hero and former USSS/SA John Gregory, who lived on the 5th hole of the Members Back course. John (aka Drex) loved the game of golf and his life with his wife Barbara at SJP. John had one dislike and that was the three putt. John was also a volunteer fireman with the St James Fire Department and when he passed seemed only fitting to change the name to The Kiely/Gregory Golf Tournament in honor of both fallen heroes.
In 2019 we lost another hero Steve Schwartz, an honorary member of the USSS Association. Steve was everyone’s mortgage banker for 38 years. Steve lived at the Player’s Club Cottages with his wife Tish. Steve loved the game of golf and was always the first to support and sponsor golf events nationally.
In 2022 we lost another hero, USSS/SA Tom Brancaccio (Branco), who lived with his wife Jan on the 15th hole at the Reserve Club. Tom was an avid boater and fisherman who always had an ice cold beer available when friends stopped to say hello as they played the 15th hole.
As we moved toward 2023, the golf tournament continued to grow and develop. Many hero families, from states across this country come to enjoy St. James, visit friends, enjoy the surrounding area, and play golf in our annual memorial event.
It only seemed fitting to change our annual golf tournament name to the HMGT which is scheduled to be celebrated again this September 25 through 28, 2024 at SJP, Southport, NC.
We start with our kickoff barbecue at Woodlands Park Pavillon (9/25), competitive golf (9/26 and 27), and Team Scramble Golf followed by the HMGT Members Club Banquet both on (9/28).
I hope you embrace the name change and continue to honor and support all our heroes who gave and continue to give making this special event a success year after year.
In 2024 we lost two heroes, both healthcare professionals, Barbara Gregory (wife of John Gregory) and Doctor Gerald “Jerry” Scallion.
Barbara Gregory was a registered nurse and volunteer Emergency Medical Responder for SJP. Barbara was the sweetest and most kind person to her family, friends, and all others she helped in her life’s path. John, who hated to three-putt, felt the putter was his problem, “not” his putting stroke. So he purchased numerous Scotty Cameron putts in search of the right one. After his death, Barbara donated some of the Scotty Cameron to the HMGT. The money raised from the raffle of these putters benefits the Tunnels Two Towers and the USSS Association. Barbara and John Gregory will be remembered always and forever.
Doctor Gerald “Jerry” Scallion, known to us all as Doc, was our golf partner from 2016 to his passing. If you had the smallest pain Doc would render is professional advise when asked. Doc was known as the king of “Nur” (run spelled backward). He always hit the ball low and hard chasing it straight down the middle of each fairway. Doc lived between the 2nd and 3rd hole on the Members Cate course. He always had time to listen, share an opinion, and add laughter to your heart. Doc will always be remembered as a friend, trusted confident, and a hero to all.