Pennsylvania veterans group cancels charity golf event after 'unspecified threat'

On Friday, Penn National Golf Club near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was expected to be the site of the eighth annual Franklin County Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-70s for a perfect end-of-summer round.

But event organizers canceled it on Thursday, citing a threat made toward those planning to take part.

According to a Facebook post from the organization:

The Franklin County Commissioners and Penn National Golf Club & Inn have made the difficult decision to cancel the 8th Annual Franklin County Veterans Affairs Golf Tournament, scheduled for Aug. 30. The decision was made after an unknown individual made an unspecified threat directed at tournament participants earlier this week.

“The safety of everyone – our staff, our volunteers, our participants and the residents of Penn National – is our utmost priority,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “This tournament has always been about honoring and supporting our veterans and we are disappointed that the cowardly actions of one individual have ruined this year’s event.”

Since the event was completely sold out, organizers had scheduled morning and afternoon tee times at the course for the first time in the event’s history and this year had added a $50,000 hole-in-one contest.

Although those who signed up are eligible for a refund, organizers hoped to still recoup some of the funds.

All proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the Franklin County Veterans Affairs Outreach Fund, which supports a variety of programs and services for Franklin County’s 13,000-plus veterans. Event sponsors and participants are eligible to receive a refund, if they so choose, by contacting the Franklin County Veterans Affairs Office at 717-263-4326 or veteransoutreach@franklincountypa.gov. Otherwise, contributions to this year’s event will benefit the outreach fund as originally intended.