DOW Championship Continues Tradition of ‘Spoiling’ U.S. Veterans
By Tom Lang
If there is one thing that DOW Championship tournament director Wendy Traschen will not do, it’s to not skimp on the traditions the tournament has provided to U.S. military veterans.
Often she expands on each tradition, and the Veterans are very responsive to what the LPGA event provides.
“We spoil them, as we should,” Traschen told me. “They gave up part of their life to try and keep us safe. I just think with all they’ve been through, we should do whatever we can.”
Veterans get into the tournament for free, including a guest. They have their own suite/tent along the 16th hole. LPGA Tour players often swing by to say hi and take photos.
Here is what any Veteran in attendance can expect:
Pancake breakfast on Thursday
Chicken dinner Friday night (but there’s always hamburgers and hots dogs and refreshments at all times)
Saturday, Happy Hour
Sunday, ice cream sundaes
Last year the high temperature was only 52 degrees on Sunday, so Traschen contacted a local bakery Saturday afternoon to do American flag cookies instead of offering ice cream.
“I was thinking, who is going to eat ice cream when it’s that cold in June?” she quipped. “Oh boy, that was the wrong decision to make. Those Veterans were so unhappy about that. So, I don’t care how cold it might get, they are getting their Sundaes on Sunday.
“I have so much respect for Veterans, and it’s still the number one phone call I get,” Traschen added. “They literally want to make sure that they heard it right (about a free suite, free tickets and free food) and that we aren’t taking those things away.”
Veterans can get free tickets online, but can also walk up and show some ID at the special entrance section of the public entrance. Traschen said they are also bringing in therapy dogs this year for a couple days.
Last year the tournament added a PGA HOPE element, bringing in 36 Veterans (with disabilities who learn the game) in that program to play at Currie Golf Course on Thursday. She got them rooms at the Holiday Inn, had a happy hour and a meet and greet, then the PGA HOPE members came to the tournament on Friday to watch the LPGA Tour action.
Another new element added last year was an official tournament mascot. The idea made Traschen nervous because most mascots are associated with teams and season long schedules of games. But she said Champ was extremely well received and will certainly return, including a first birthday celebration on Sunday of the tournament (June 26-29).
“It’s been very heartwarming, and there is truth to kids loving things like mascots, and he had a following anywhere he went,” Traschen said.
On the Course:
What Traschen believes is truly fun golf for the LPGA Tour players annually equities into more fun for the fans. The DOW Championship is the only team event on the Tour each year, with partners of two playing in a combo scoring format that produces co-champions. Playing partners often make unique names for themselves, such as: The Rose & The Thorn, Jin & Ronic, Rolexa, Cheers, The College Dropouts, and Stars Stripes & Maple Leafs.
“When you see the interaction between all four players on a green (in the team format), you clearly see that they are having fun. It’s almost like they say for these four days we’re just going to have a really great time and enjoy golf. And from every aspect that we’ve been able to review, the players just love this tournament.”
Off the Course:
Economic Growth: Generated a $17.2 million economic impact in 2024, added 130 new jobs and totals more than $49 million since 2019.
Community Giving: Donated $500,000 in 2024 to 50+ local and regional nonprofits in the Great Lakes Bay Region, surpassing $2.5 million in total donations since 2019.
Recycled 75,184.5 lbs. of materials and donated 6,536 lbs. of food in 2024.
Get more information and look for tickets at: https://dowchampionship.com/
