National Shooting Sports Foundation to host pre-SHOT Show® military fundraiser

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) announced today that it will host a pre-SHOT Show® charity golf outing January 14 and 15, 2012, at TPC Las Vegas benefiting Birdies for the Brave, a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR.

Proceeds from the Birdies for the Brave event will benefit 8 military homefront groups that are supported by PGA TOUR players, which provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded warriors and military families. They include:

• Wounded Warrior Project supported by TOUR players Nick Watney, Boo Weekley, Frank Lickliter II, and Jason Gore.
• Homes for Our Troops supported by TOUR player Phil Mickelson.
• Special Operations Warrior Foundation supported by TOUR player Phil Mickelson.
• Operation Homefront supported by TOUR player Corey Pavin.
• Naval Special Warfare Foundation supported by TOUR players Jerry Kelly, Vijay Singh, and Frank Lickliter II.
• Military Warriors Support Foundation supported by TOUR player Ted Purdy.
• United Through Reading supported by TOUR player Rory Sabbatini.
• Green Beret Foundation supported by TOUR player Bubba Watson.

“Throughout our history, the firearms industry has been America’s arsenal of democracy and is among the strongest supporters of our military,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Birdies for the Brave is a natural fit for the SHOT Show, considering how many of our attendees have close ties with the military. It will be a great opportunity for our industry to show its thanks and support for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

“We want to thank NSSF for their support and welcome them to the Birdies for the Brave family,” said retired Navy SEAL, Stephen Kupcha, Senior manager of PGA TOUR military outreach. “There has never been a better time to show support for our brave military men and women and their families, and we are delighted to partner with NSSF on this great cause.”

The Birdies for the Brave event will kick off on Saturday, January 14, with an evening reception and dinner. The golf outing will be held on Sunday, January 15. Each foursome will be paired with a wounded warrior and the entire event will be military-themed, featuring static displays and a variety of engaging contests.

NSSF will serve as Title Sponsor of the Birdies for the Brave event. A variety of additional sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information on entry or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Nicole Tassone at nicoletassone@pgatourtpc.com.

The SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show) is owned by NSSF, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, and is produced and managed by Reed Exhibitions. The show is the largest of its kind in the world, attracting nearly 60,000 attendees and more than 1,600 companies exhibiting firearms, ammunition, outdoor apparel, law enforcement, optics, cutlery and related products and services.

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About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org. NSSF is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011. Learn about the Foundation’s history at www.nssf.org/50.

About Birdies for the Brave, a PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. Initiative
Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR designed to show support and appreciation to the courageous men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Birdies for the Brave was originally created in 2004 by PGA TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to support combat-injured troops. In 2005, the PGA TOUR adopted Birdies for the Brave and expanded the program to include a variety of military outreach efforts, including complimentary admission for military members, Military Appreciation Day celebrations and Patriots’ Outpost military hospitality chalets during PGA TOUR tournaments; rehabilitative golf opportunities for wounded warriors; and a series of Birdies for the Brave fundraising events held at the TOUR’s TPC clubs across the U.S. – an effort that has raised millions of dollars for 10 military homefront groups that provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded warriors and military families.