Memorial Day means more than a day off
For Brian Mackey, walking a 100-hole golf marathon fundraiser is the least he can do to honor America's veterans, including his grandfather Francis and father Wayne.
Memorial Day isn’t just another holiday from work.
It’s right there in the name — Memorial. It is a day to remember America’s armed forces and honor the sacrifices they made to protect this country.
Brian Mackey won’t be taking Memorial Day off. He is the director of instruction at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, New Jersey, and he will play a 100-hole marathon for the second straight year. The club’s event raised $41,000 for Folds of Honor, a charity that helps families of fallen service members, and PGA HOPE, a PGA of America program endorsed by Jack Nicklaus that helps living veterans with physical, mental and social needs.
Monday’s 100-hole marathon comes with a twist. Mackey is going commando. He rode in a cart last year but will walk all 100 holes this time. That’s a tall order even for a 38-year-old who’s in decent shape and walks a few miles every day.
“I never served my country, so to be able to do this and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who served is like the Super Bowl for me,” Mackey says. “I’m going to finish 100 holes, no matter what.”
One reason Mackey is so committed to veterans’ needs is because it hits close to home. His grandfather, Francis, served with the Marines in World War II and was among the group that landed on the beach at Iwo Jima. He earned a Purple Heart. Mackey’s father, Wayne, enlisted in the Marines and got two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam.
“I’m so proud of their service, both of them saw some horrific stuff,” Brian Mackey says. “Coming home was different for my grandfather than it was for my dad. It has always been a passion of mine to make sure that everybody understands, the soldiers didn’t create the situation, they’re trying to serve the country. A lot of Vietnam vets have passed away and never got the recognition or respect for what they gave up.
“When my father came home from Vietnam, he went to join the local VFW. They told him to leave and said, ‘We don’t take losers.’ Those were your own guys, WWII veterans, who told him to take a hike. That’s what it was like then.”
Brian Mackey has started fundraising vehicles at North Jersey CC for all military-related holidays, including the Fourth of July and Veterans Day. Over the last two years, with the help of the North Jersey membership, those efforts have raised more than $150,000, he says.
The 100-hole marathon is one of the Folds of Honors suggested fundraising efforts. It struck a nerve with Mackey, who thought it was a great way to raise money and awareness for veterans’ issues.
Last year’s marathon was a hit at the club. Mackey played his 100 holes and got pledges for certain amounts per hole played and per birdies and eagles made. He made 15 birdies and no eagles, and that raised an additional $10,000-$12,000. He also did some live Instagram feeds during his round.
His cart had an American flag and a POW flag attached. Head professional Brian Krulfeifer played some holes with him during the round. Golf chairman Dan Dinan joined him for the final 18.
The 100th hole featured Mackey facing a wildly breaking putt from 35 feet on the classic Walter Travis-designed 18th green. A crowd was gathered to watch.
“This whirly-swirly putt finished right on the lip,” Mackey says. “Even though it didn’t go in, there was a couple of seconds of suspense while it hung on the lip.”
This year’s marathon will begin with a bugler playing “Taps” at 5 a.m just before Mackey tees off. He has invited a number of veterans, including his father, to be present for the ceremony.
“It will ll be emotional for me,” Mackey says.
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It probably won’t match how he felt in January at his dad’s 75th birthday party. When his father mustered out of the Marines, he was curiously never issued a dress-blue Marine uniform. Brian knew a friend who had just left the Marines, contacted him and was able to purchase a full set of dress blues. He then quietly borrowed his father’s medals, put them on the Marine uniform, dressed the uniform on a mannequin and surprised his dad at his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
“It was one of the most emotional moments of my life, seeing him turn around to see a mannequin with his uniform on it and then slowly realize that it belonged to him now,” Brian Mackey says.
So he made a Marine cry?
“Yeah,” Brian says. “Oh, yeah.”
That might happen again Monday.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll wear that uniform at the conclusion of the 100 holes,” Brian says.
It’ll be a nice moment, a proud moment, and justifiably so. It’s not just any holiday, after all.
It’s Memorial Day.