Journey at Pechanga is launching its inaugural Candy for Golf campaign. Candy for Golf will encourage healthy eating habits as well as teach Southern California youth the importance of Veterans Day this Nov. 11. PGA Golf Professional and Journey Instructor Randy Chang will provide free group lessons to any child/teen up to 18 years old who brings in his/her bag of Halloween candy the weekends of Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. Their lesson can be applied on the spot or scheduled for a later date.

All Halloween candy donations will be sent to U.S. military members through Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of those serving in active duty and veterans. A large part of their mission is to send items and care packages to troops stationed overseas as well as veterans groups.

“Being able to apply my passion for the sport of golf while simultaneously supporting our U.S. troops and veterans is an incredible gift and one I hope we’ll continue to grow each year,” said PGA Golf Professional and Journey Instructor Randy Chang. “I sincerely hope this campaign will give us the opportunity to educate our youth on the importance of healthy eating habits and the true meaning of Veterans Day and how it’s not just a day off from school, And, of course, hopefully allow local kids the chance to discover their love for golf in one of the most beautiful courses I’ve had the pleasure of coaching at!”

Randy has had a passion for golf since he was a teen and played for his college team on a scholarship for three years. He has more than 35 years of professional golf experience and has been recognized by the PGA and golf industry with several prestigious awards. He is the founder of the Aloha Academy of Golf in Hawaii and Randy Chang Golf Schools in southern California as well as an instructor for all ages at Journey at Pechanga.

Journey at Pechanga’s championship golf course is consistently rated among the top public courses in California and services approximately 36,500 rounds of golf each year. The par-72, 18-hole golf course winds across 7,219 yards. A challenging and rewarding course, it presents a range of topography – canyons, ravines, open fairways and even a tee shot with a 175-foot drop and is nestled on preserved and sacred tribal grounds.

Halloween candy can be dropped off at Journey at Pechanga’s Pro Shop (45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592) on Friday, Nov. 4 – Sunday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 11 – Sunday, Nov. 13, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

If you’d like to donate items to our troops overseas, visit OperationGratitude.com/WishList to view a list of items in need. Operation Gratitude regularly sends care packages with these items, including knit hats, scarves, new DVDs, CDs, video games, lip balm, roll-on deodorant, individually packaged razors, pens, shaving cream, travel-sized board games, Halloween candy, t-shirts, baseball hats, and more.

For lessons, packages and to schedule a round of golf at Journey at Pechanga, call 866.991.PARR (7277) to book your tee time.