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