Veterans Day: Rob Riggle, PXG give again to assist elevate $10 million

Rob Riggle is a really humorous man. He’s recognized for a few of his over-the-top roles in “The Hangover,” “Step-Brothers” and his time as a “Day by day Present” correspondent, amongst numerous different issues. He’s simply one of many extra recognizable faces in comedy.

However what many individuals could not know is the extremely charitable aspect of Riggle.

Riggle is a retired U.S. Marine who spent 23 years of service, enlisting in 1990 and retiring in 2023 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served the primary 9 years in lively responsibility and his closing 14 in reserve. Like so many veterans, Riggle is obsessed with giving again and serving to fellow vets re-acclimate into society.

One such means he discovered to achieve success in that endeavor was by way of the sport of golf, which he was gracious sufficient to element in an unique interview with Taking part in By means of.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund

The Semper Fi & America’s Fund is closing in on its twentieth anniversary subsequent spring. Up to now, they’ve given greater than $320 million in grants to help 31,000 combat-wounded, sick, and injured service members, veterans, and navy households.

For the twelfth consecutive 12 months, PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) and The Bob & Renee Parsons Basis are partnering with Semper Fi by way of their PXG Double Down for Veterans match marketing campaign.

By means of the tip of the 12 months, each greenback raised as much as $10 million PXG CEO Bob Parsons and his spouse Renee will match by way of their marketing campaign. If that aim is met, it’s going to carry the full matched as much as $100 million for the reason that starting of their partnership.

Riggle, a long-time proponent and shut buddy to PXG and Parsons, continues to be a car by way of which the Basis reveals its heartfelt philanthropic undertakings.

PXG and Riggle sharing Semper Fi values

PXG Founder and CEO, Bob Parsons, can also be a retired member of the USA Marine Corps.

Parsons enlisted in 1968 and shortly thereafter, discovered himself collaborating within the Vietnam Warfare. He later turned a recipient of the Purple Coronary heart Medal, Fight Motion Ribbon and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

All through his profession, he has overtly mentioned the impacts of PTSD from service, and has helped encourage so many to achieve out for assist. As just lately as a few weeks in the past, Parsons posted an inspirational, earnest message to veterans scuffling with PTSD.

That’s one thing that Riggle is equally obsessed with. It was the right partnership.

“I used to be fortunate sufficient to attach with PXG after they had been beginning out, a 12 months or two after they launched. Over time, I acquired to know them they usually acquired to know me. We simply gravitated towards each other so far as our values and issues we care about.”

“I actually fell in love with PXG and Bob and Renee—their dedication to giving again to our service members.”

“I used to do a golf match referred to as the InVETational Golf Basic. Bob and Renee used to match no matter I raised at my match. So, I at all times attempt to make myself accessible to what they’re doing as a result of I imagine in what they’re doing,” stated Riggle.

The comic went on to element not solely how he discovered the sport of golf, however why it may be so helpful to veterans.

Rob Riggle finds ‘The Biggest Sport’

“I discovered an outdated set of Kenny Smith golf golf equipment hanging in my grandfather’s machine shed. They had been purchased again within the 50’s. They had been these stunning, wooden, custom-made golf equipment… thought of very excessive finish golf golf equipment,” Riggle instructed Taking part in By means of.

“I had a military bag of outdated golf balls and began whacking them out within the pasture—beloved it! I used to be most likely 12 years outdated. I hit that one magic 3-wood that went 200—perhaps 210 [yards]. To me it felt prefer it was a moonshot and that was it. I used to be hooked for all times,” Riggle stated.

“I beloved the sport. I at all times beloved it.”

The longtime comic parlayed that keenness and love for golf into expertise on the course.

This previous July, Riggle competed in his eighth American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Picture by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Pictures

Golden State Warriors level guard Steph Curry captured the win in epic trend this 12 months, sinking a prolonged downhill eagle putt on 18 Sunday.

American Century Investments, the 25-year title sponsor of the occasion, has helped elevate tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} for the Stowers Establishment in addition to native charities in Southern California and Nevada.

Golf has at all times been a sport that breeds generosity and charitable ventures. However the sport, because the comic defined, can also be a good way to assist veterans re-acclimate to society.

“I feel there are ancillary advantages to the sport of golf,” Riggle stated.

“You might have catastrophically wounded veterans… you might have a number of veterans which have wounds you could’t see.

“Lots of our veterans are affected by isolation. They don’t wish to discuss their issues, burden different individuals with their issues, they really feel a disgrace and really feel like they need to have the ability to deal with their issues.”

“What occurs is a number of our veterans find yourself isolating, which is the worst factor they’ll do.”

Picture by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Pictures for SAG-AFTRA Basis

However therein lies the connection I used to be after.

Riggle superbly expressed why the game of golf will help break that cycle of isolation and potential deepening melancholy.

“I feel golf is an excellent avenue to… be amongst pals, friends, even strangers that you’re simply assembly for the primary time. It’s a beautiful social sport. It will get you out, it will get you speaking, it will get you interacting, your physique transferring.

“When you begin taking part in it, you fall in love with the sport. Particularly for those who hit that ball effectively a few times, you’re going to be hooked.”

Anybody that performs golf is aware of that sentiment to be true. Past how golf helps vets specifically, the accessibility of the game transcends.

“It doesn’t matter in case you are a boy or a woman… younger or outdated… it’s a sport that’s accessible to everybody.”

“That’s why I really like golf and I adore it for the veteran neighborhood.”

Riggle, together with PXG, proceed 12 months after 12 months to provide again and assist these in want.

Veterans Day is at all times a stark reminder of what those that served sacrificed for People to benefit from the civil liberties of at present. But, those that served have typically been missed in society and generally need assistance.

Studying what PXG, Riggle and others do for our veterans has been one of many extra rewarding experiences of my profession. I firmly imagine that all of us needs to be a little bit extra like them and provides again after we can, whereas having fun with the world’s biggest sport.

If you want to donate, you are able to do so on the Semper FI & America’s Fund website right here.

Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. For extra golf protection, observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms.