Valspar Championship continues the tradition of supporting our nation’s wounded veterans

Palm Harbor, Fla. — A retired and decorated U.S. Military veteran, wounded in combat, will be honored for his service and sacrifice April 26, at 10 a.m. during the opening ceremonies of the Valspar Championship PGA TOUR golf tournament. The hero and his family were awarded a mortgage-free home through Military Warriors Support Foundation’s home donation program in Riverview, Fla., and the family will receive three years of family and financial mentorship.

“At this year’s Valspar Championship, we are proud to be a part of this event where the PGA TOUR sponsors come together to support one of our nation’s combat-wounded heroes: Purple Heart recipient, retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Christopher Mark McDuffie. Congratulations on your three years of family and financial mentorship and welcome home,” said Tracy West, Tournament Director of the Valspar Championship.

The Valspar Championship is also stepping up to support the presentation to the McDuffie family by sponsoring the donation of Valspar paint products to the McDuffie family to assist them in their home repainting needs. The mortgage-free home was donated by Wells Fargo to Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes program. Since 2012, Wells Fargo has donated more than 400 homes valued at over $60 million to veterans in all 50 states. The family’s three-year mentoring program was made possible in partnership with Birdies for the Brave. The home is over 2,000 sq. ft with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The home, and mentorship, will help provide a cornerstone of support for the McDuffie family. Birdies for the Brave was originally created by PGA Hall of Fame member Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy to raise funds for combat-injured troops.

On March 2, 2007, he was wounded in combat. McDuffie is the recipient of the Purple Heart for being wounded while supporting combat operations, he was also awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his actions while under hostile fire. McDuffie medically retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2009.

Ken Eakes, Executive Director of Military Warriors Support Foundation, comments: “At Military Warriors Support Foundation, we’re proud to provide many programs that support our combat-wounded heroes…and at this year’s historic Valspar Championship we are especially honored to work with some amazing groups; collaborating with Wells Fargo, who’s donating the mortgage-free home; and in partnership with Birdies for the Brave whose involvement helps us provide our three-year mentoring program. Again, thank you Staff Sergeant McDuffie for your service and it’s an honor to serve you and your family.”

The Valspar Championship is Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event and a part of the annual FedExCup competition. The 2021 Valspar Championship will be held on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida from April 29-May 2, 2021. Paul Casey has won each of the last two tournaments. The stellar field includes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas just to name a few. The tournament is nationally televised CBS Sports and Golf Channel; and is owned and operated by Copperhead Charities, Inc. The title sponsor for the tournament is Valspar Paint.

For more information, visit www.valsparchampionship.com.