St. Andrews Legacy

By Neil Thomson

Most of you remember Graham Proctor, the towering, 6ft 6in proprietor of the Deveron House – the B&B site where most of the American Ponce team stayed in St. Andrews in 2012.Well, Graham has reached out to me in a major way – with emails and transatlantic calls the past month.

He is the Founder of an organization called St. Andrews Legacy (www.standrewslegacy.com).  Its mission, at least in major part, is to raise funds and bring US (and allies) Veterans to St. Andrews to play golf and experience the magic.  It has already made profound positive rehabilitation effects on the vets.

My take is that St. Andrews Legacy – although not as established yet – has similarities to Wounded Warrior and/or Patriot Golf Day.

Graham hosted a group of veterans from the US and Canada last summer – at Deveron House – they played Old Course; Muirfield, etc – and he is making plans to host similar golf experiences again in the summer of 2014.

He has 4 American vets committed for June of 2014 (I believe he has Australian vets coming in July, 2014) – included in the US group is a double amputee and a Medal of Honor recipient from tour in Afghanistan.  I believe a couple of the guys are in Tacoma, WA and one who lives in San Antonio.  I am pretty sure all of them have been physically handicapped from their military service.

Anyway – Graham was so impacted by our group’s camaraderie and Love of the Game that he wants 4 of us to go over and play with the 4 American vets for their special experience!!!

He has four-balls already reserved for this additional able-bodied group – where the format would likely be a good mix of teams, combining able-bodied players with handicapped vets.  The offer is $5000 per golfer, which includes round-trip airfare; lodging; all golf; “most meals”; all ground transport while there.  Essentially, the group would take over the Deveron House.

Now, on top of that, he is asking that each of the 4 American players also is able to raise an additional $2500 per man – to cover the remaining funds for the vets.  [So, really this package commitment is $7500 per golfer – although, as Graham suggested you could organize a spring golf day / fundraiser to try and get others to help fund the $2500 portion].  For example, I would think some Richmond guys could host a spring scramble at CCV with proceeds going to cover some of that portion.  If you are able to raise some funds for the $2500 portion, then the additional $5K is not as daunting – since it includes airfare.

 

The likely 2014 itinerary, per Graham:

Saturday, 14th June –             Arrive, Dukes (PM)

15th June –                                Jubilee

16th June –                               Old Course

17th June –                               Crail

18th June –                               Kingsbarns, dinner St Andrews GC

19th June –                               Machrihanish

20th June –                              Machrihanish,

Saturday, 21st June –            Depart UK.

______

 

Please email me privately if you have serious interest in learning more about this opportunity.  It appears unique; memorable; and a fantastic way to support our troops who sacrificed so much.  And the golf of course is awesome –

For example, perhaps this could be the father-son trip you always wanted to do with your old man, or other family member?

Personally, I am unsure I can commit due to scheduling…but I want to do everything I can to help Graham on this and fill the 4 slots – and it is humbling he reached out to the Ponce.  Incidentally, he has other plans with St. Andrews Legacy – including some future golf events in Toronto, and something in the mix with PGA pro Johnson Wagner at Quail Hollow.  So, Graham has good reach with what he is trying to accomplish.  He is also open to our ideas on furthering his vision – and establishing your own significant involvement in a promising organization from the ground-up.

 

Here is a recent newsletter:

I have also copied an email from a vet who played over there last summer (they played in conjunction with the Sr. British Open / pro-am at Birkdale):

 

Dear Graham,

I wanted to pass along this short personal note of thanks for the exceptional event you orchestrated through St Andrews Legacy.  I realize I may repeat some of the words I provided during the final supper; however I don’t feel I could ever completely express my sincere gratitude for your unselfish commitment to help injured veterans, including myself.

When I spoke to you at the Open and stated that the past two days were the best form of rehab I have ever experienced, I was truly honest.  The road to recovery for most of the injured members is a life journey which will never end.  It is organizations such as St Andrews Legacy that can assist people along the way to accept their new normal in order to make the best out of life.  For me, while I stood on the 18th green at The Open Championship and met people like Jim McArthur, Fred Couples, Johnson Wagner, and of course Tiger Woods, I had an epiphany.  I would like to say it was a dream come true, but honestly, I could not have possibly dreamed of the opportunities which you provided the group.  It really instilled in me that anything is possible and to make the best of it.

I have come back with a huge boost in my life, thanks to you and your team.  My passion for golf has increased significantly and I’m inspired to make the most of it.  St Andrews Legacy is such a great initiative which has the potential to change many lives in good positive ways.  I will do my best on my end to promote the program to ensure sustainability for the long term (which we will discuss further in the coming weeks).

Graham, it was truly a great thing which you did and will continue to do for injured veterans.  You have proven that sacrifices will be honoured and wounded veterans are not alone in their battle.  Truly remarkable.  I have a good feeling that May 8th,  2013 marked the start of a long and prosperous relationship between Soldier On and St Andrews Legacy.  Two programs which get it.

All the best to you and your family,

Sincerely,
Jay

J.M. Feyko
Major
Soldier On | Sans limites

 

Thanks for your consideration of this –

Regards,

Neil

Neil D. Thomson, Esq.

E.  Neil.Thomson@FordWallace.com

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