The American Legion Ira Weaver Post 121 and Auxiliary of Blairsville hosted the Fourth Annual Putting With Patriots Golf Tournament at Butternut Creek Golf Course on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Teams arrived early that morning to prepare for tee-off at 10 a.m., thankful for the clear skies and proud to show up for a good cause.
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“For us, it’s the big moneymaker of the year, and every bit of it goes right back into the community,” explained Post 121 Cmdr. Mike Merritt. Those funds go toward any number of projects that fall under the purview of the American Legion.
That could include putting together a flag etiquette class for local schoolchildren; organizing Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes; providing financial aid for veterans in need; presenting scholarships to graduates; offering sponsorships for Junior Leadership Camp or Boys and Girls State; purchasing Christmas gifts for veterans in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; among a host of many other options shared in a handout given to those who came to golf.
In total, 112 patriotic golfers participated, and though that number is locked in, there is no limit to the number of sponsors that can support the event. In fact, according to Merritt, this year featured more sponsors from the community than ever before – 93, to be precise.
Auxiliary President Nancy Kunz experienced similar interest from the golfers themselves.
“I’ve been having teams call me all week, and we have been booked at 28 teams since March,” Kunz said. “Yesterday, this team called me, and I said, ‘I’m so sorry, we’re booked,’ and they said, ‘Would you please put us on for next year?’”
While the fundraising totals are still being tallied between admission fees, sponsorships and raffle tickets, the outpouring of community love is already clear to the Legion family – so much so that Putting With Patriots will certainly be returning in 2027.
“At this point, I would say we are hoping for $5,000 to $7,000 more this year than last year,” Kunz estimated, noting that the 2025 tournament generated around $18,000 for Legion causes. “(The community) has given us the momentum to continue doing this.”
Patti Cousins, who helped Kunz organize the tournament this year, expressed gratitude for all involved: “To have an event that raises the amount of money that we raise is just amazing and an absolute tribute to the community and how they love their veterans.”
Among the many patriots showcasing that love was golfer Ryan Whittamore, whose team of friends featured two veterans.
“We need to do as much as we can for the veterans because the veterans are what gave us the ability to come out here and do this today,” Whittamore said. “We have to more of this kind of stuff.”
One of Whittamore’s friends, Aaron Jones, is a Marine Corps veteran, and it was his first time playing the Butternut course. The American Legion is “a great program,” he believes, hoping to have the opportunity to return next year.
Teammates Ben Jones, Chris Perri, Travis Berry and Justin Ramey were also enjoying the day. The company they represented, America’s Homeplace, contributed items to the raffles, and they were in agreement that it felt good to not only help the Legion organize a great event, but to get out and play a round of golf in the name of supporting veterans and promoting patriotism.
A veteran and Legion member, Ramey was part of the inaugural team that kicked off Putting With Patriots. While he had to move away and could no longer help with planning, he has returned year after year to support its growth and noticed the tourney getting “better and better.”
And, as pointed out by Post 121 Jr. Vice Cmdr. Brian Ross and former Vice Cmdr. Kathy Merritt, veterans make up a large portion of Union County’s population, both as permanent residents and as visitors who may seek services from places like the Blairsville VA Clinic.
“North Georgia is the fastest growing area for veterans in the state … 2,500 veterans currently live here in Union County,” Merritt noted, espousing the importance of a community supporting each other. “It’s important to know who your neighbors are, and your neighbors are veterans.”
For anyone who may have missed Putting With Patriots, there are still ways to support the American Legion. Visit www.legionpost121.org to donate or purchase a wreath for the upcoming annual Wreaths Across America memorial event.
