Northern Trust lends support to Reagan Presidential Foundation

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- The Northern Trust Open plans to donate $5,000 to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration to support educational activities during the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration.

Northern Trust Open Executive Director Jerry West will make the contribution at noon Pacific on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Patriots' Outpost, the military hospitality tent at Riviera Country Club during this week's Northern Trust Open.

The partnership between the Reagan Centennial and the 2011 Northern Trust Open will also honor military heroes during the PGA TOUR event held this week at Riviera Country Club, Feb. 15-20.

"President Reagan was an avid sportsman throughout his life," said Stewart McLaurin, Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration. "After playing college football, a 21-year-old Ronald Reagan began his career as a radio sports announcer in 1923 on WHO in Iowa. During the Centennial Year of President Reagan's birth, we at the Reagan Foundation are proud to link up with our Los Angeles neighbors at the Northern Trust Open to honor military families in this fun yet dignified way."

For each day of the tournament, all active, retired and reserve military personnel and their families are welcome to attend the tournament at Riviera Country Club for free. A hospitality suite, Patriots' Outpost, presented by the Annenberg Foundation, provides military guests and local veterans with complimentary food and beverages and a relaxing venue on Riviera's 10th green to enjoy the tournament.

"President Reagan's profound respect for those who serve in the military and their families was well known," West said. "During the Centennial year of President Reagan's birth we at the Northern Trust Open intend to continue that tradition in our own special way."

Saturday, Feb. 19, will be "Military Appreciation Day" at the Northern Trust Open, with military caddies assisting PGA TOUR players on the 1st and 10th tees, and a special Military Appreciation Ceremony at 3 p.m. located on the 18th green.

To kick off this partnership, Jerry West and PGA TOUR pro Bryce Molder came aboard the USS Ronald Reagan while it was docked in San Diego on January 25. USS Ronald Reagan Captain Thom Burke, West, Molder and sailors from the USS Ronald Reagan made a 60-foot putt on the deck of the aircraft carrier as part of the tournament's "PLAY for LA" countdown to raise money for charitable causes in Southern California.