Dear Friends,
As Chairman of the Heroes Memorial Golf Tournament (HMGT) this news
is tough for me to share; however, as a loyal supporter of the HMGT for the
past 18 years we have shared friendships, honored our deceased players,
and donated more than $8000.00 to National and Local charities.
*US Secret Service Association
*Tunnel 2 Towers
*St. James American Legion Post 543, Richard H. Stewart Jr Foundation
Our 2025 HMGT request to The Club at St. James (SJ) was made verbally
to the SJ Tournament Director in September and followed up with an email on
October 24, 2024. Our Welcome Reception was scheduled for October 8,
and the Saturday night banquet was scheduled for October 11th.
The SJ Golf Tournament schedule for 2025 and the annual maintenance schedule was released in January.
I noticed that over-seeding
of the Founders golf course and the Reserve would take place during our scheduled HMGT week.
I also noticed the HMGT was not on the SJ Golf Tournament schedule.
I was shocked and concerned. I followed up with a visit to the SJ Director of
Golf and SJ Tournament Director. I was told to give them 24 hours.
On January 28th, I was contacted by the SJ Tournament Director and told our
requested date could not be honored due to overseeing and I was offered
alternative dates. Unfortunately, SJ catering did not have availability for our
Saturday banquet on the alternative dates provided.
The Chairperson for the HMGT was immediately contacted and all agreed
to not have the 2025 HMGT. We believe our original request should have
been honored and if not we should have been offered alternative dates much
sooner than three months passed before I learned the HMGT was not on
the SJ 2025 golf tournament schedule.
This was a year to honor one of the founding father of the HMGT, Evan Jenkins.
Evan and his wife Karen lived in the Reserve, Evan, Jim Kiely, and Steve
Colo started this journey with fellow friends.
Evan was a fun-loving and carefree soul, unless it came to his family and his
NFL passion for the Philadelphia Eagles. He and his son Brain traveled to Minneapolis
in 2019 to watch the Eagles win a Super Bowl Championship. Evan may not
be here with us, but we know this coming Sunday we'll all hear his voice rooting
on his Eagles.
I do not know what the future holds for the HMGT and that is very disappointing.
I thank all of you for your support, and time, and for sharing memories that will last
forever.
Raymond Ventura
Chairman HMGT
rvgolf4@verizon.net
(202) 997-3343