Furloughed to the Fairways

If it is good enough for the President, it's good enough for Club Fed.

Back in Arlington, Virginia we took frequent advantage of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) offerings.  My "home" course was one of theirs -- Algonkian Golf.  I also played NVRPA links at Pohick Bay and Brambleton.  One of the last times I played at Brambleton (just beyond Dulles International Airport) as I lined up my tee shot on the 15th hole there appeared just over the treeline the Space Shuttle Discovery hauled by a Boeing 747 and close escorted by a NASA T-38 jet.  It was awesome.  We spent many a family swim day at NVRPA's Ocean Dunes Water Park at Upton Hill Regional Park and Great Waves Water Park at Cameron Run Regional Park. 
   

Now here comes NRVPA forward with a lessened links levy for victims of the sequester.  

Furloughed to Fairways

Thousands of area federal employees will be furloughed on certain days between April and September this year as a result of the Federal Sequester.  In response, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) is offering a special deal for those furloughed federal employees who enjoy the outdoors and a good round of golf. 

Starting on the first day of May, federal employees will be able to play any one of the three courses owned by NVRPA for just $25.  This deal, which is about 30% off the regular greens fee, will be honored Monday through Thursday after 10 A.M.  Federal employees must bring a civilian federal employee ID to the course to take advantage of the deal, which is targeted at furloughed employees. 

“We greatly appreciate the federal employees who are so important to our region, and we want to show our solidarity with those public servants who enjoy the sport of golf," remarked Brian Knapp, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.  "It is very unfortunate that these federal employees are being impacted in this fashion.  In a small way, we wish to thank them for their contributions to our local communities and our nation, and welcome them to visit our three beautiful golf courses.” 

The Park Authority has three golf courses conveniently located throughout Northern Virginia, including Algonkian Golf Course in Sterling, Brambleton Golf Course in Ashburn, and Pohick Bay Golf Course in Lorton. Contact information for each course appears at the end of this release. 

“NVRPA is giving a real morale boost to furloughed workers.  To me, it’s more than just the golf discount-through Furlough to Fairways, NVRPA is showing that the Northern Virginia community supports us,” said Ted McCleskey, civilian employee with the Department of Defense. 

The Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Authority, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Management and Budget and many other departments will be sending workers home on a regular basis (often weekly) as a result of the Sequester.  

"Co-workers may want to use this unique opportunity to play golf together during the week at prices that are not normally available," commented Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of NVRPA.

NRVPA is doing Debbie Wasserman Schulz proud by stepping forward to support the unfortunate victims of the sequester. The sequester won't fester in D.C..  Congratulations to NVRPA!