TEMECULA, Calif. – (May 16, 2017) – Journey at Pechanga will be hosting the second annual Candy for Golf campaign this October and November. Candy for Golf encourages a healthy lifestyle as well as teaches Southern California youth the importance of Veteran’s Day this November 11. PGA Golf Professional and Journey Instructor Randy Chang will provide free group lessons to any child/teen up to 18 years old who brings in one full bag of Halloween candy on November 1 – 11. Lessons may be applied on the spot if available or will be scheduled for a later date that month. Candy may be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. every day at the Journey at Pechanga Pro Shop front desk.
Last year, 10 children participated and brought in 45 pounds of candy for our troops. Veterans from Veterans Supplemental Support Service Network (VSSN) were also in attendance to accept some of the candy and to play some golf with the little ones.
All Halloween candy donations will be sent to U.S. military members through Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of those serving in active duty and veterans. A large part of their mission is to send items and care packages to troops stationed overseas as well as veterans groups.
“The looks on the kids’ faces last year when they met our veterans were those of awe and inspiration. They were truly proud of giving up their hard-earned candy. Being able to teach a child why Veteran’s Day is so important while also teaching them the sport I love takes the passion for my career to a whole new level,” said PGA Golf Professional and Journey Instructor Randy Chang. “After last year’s success, Journey at Pechanga is trying again to help mold our future generations to be appreciative, understanding and healthy beings, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.”
Randy has had a passion for golf since he was a teen and played for his college team on a scholarship for three years. He has more than 35 years of professional golf experience and has been recognized by the PGA and golf industry with several prestigious awards. He is the founder of the Aloha Academy of Golf in Hawaii and Randy Chang Golf Schools in southern California as well as an instructor for all ages at Journey at Pechanga.
Journey at Pechanga’s championship golf course is consistently rated among the top public courses in California and services approximately 36,500 rounds of golf each year. The par-72, 18-hole golf course winds across 7,219 yards. A challenging and rewarding course, it presents a range of topography – canyons, ravines, open fairways and even a tee shot with a 175-foot drop and is nestled on preserved and sacred tribal grounds.
Halloween candy can be dropped off at Journey at Pechanga’s Pro Shop (45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592) starting Wednesday, November 1 – Sunday, November 11, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you’d like to donate items to U.S. veterans or troops overseas, visit OperationGratitude.com/WishList to view a list of items in need. Operation Gratitude regularly sends care packages with these items, including knit hats, scarves, new DVDs, CDs, video games, lip balm, roll-on deodorant, individually packaged razors, pens, shaving cream, travel-sized board games, Halloween candy, t-shirts, baseball hats, and more.
For lessons, packages and to schedule a round of golf at Journey at Pechanga, call 866.991.PARR (7277) to book your tee time.