For the third year in a row, the D.C. United Foundation hosted its Golf Classic at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va. RTJ was most recently in the spotlight for being the 2024 Solheim Cup venue just a few short weeks ago.
D.C. United pulled out all the stops to support its causes, from soccer players competing in some of the foursomes to activations with various brands around the course. As the main fundraiser for the foundation, all 23 foursomes are having a major impact on the DMV community while enjoying a round of golf on a bucket-list course.
D.C. United Foundation Executive Director, Shanell Mosley, says, “I think the reality is, a lot of our partners love to come together to support all we do for the D.C. United Foundation. The D.C. United Foundation Golf Classic is our marquee event that helps make it possible to do what we do in the community.”
The D.C. United Foundation has become a pillar in the community. Mosley says, “The playing field is not always even for everybody, and I think us being in the nation’s capital, we want to be sure we are providing the opportunity for people to thrive, both on the soccer pitch and off the soccer pitch.”
Mosley continues, “So a little bit of what that’s looked like for us at the D.C. United Foundation is providing access to important resources or services – whether it’s putting a soccer ball in kids’ hands or providing essential items like back-to-school supplies. We do our annual back-to-school drive, we do a number of initiatives such as Raise a Toast, where we recognize heroes in our community and make it possible for the work to continue, and so much more. As a club team – D.C. United – it’s in our name, ‘united,’ and we want to come together to ensure that everybody has an equal chance.”
Thanks to the staff and partners, the foundation was able to make that happen. “We do have our presenting sponsors back again for the second year, Red River & Dell Technologies,” says Mosley. Other partnerships included Adidas, Audi, Don Churro, Extraordinary Photo Booth & DJ Booth, Guilford Hall Brewery, Heineken, Herrick, Feinsten LLP, Legacy Automotive Capital, Limale Events Decorations and Red Bull.
“It’s just an exciting day, and that’s what we want. We want people to walk away like ‘Wow, that was a beautiful day,’ we understand what the focus is of the foundation and also having face time with our D.C. United players. We have 9 of them out on the course today golfing and a number of them that will be joining us throughout the day as well.”
Fairway to Green caught up with a few of the D.C. United players. Defender David Schnegg says, “It’s amazing, it’s so beautiful here. We’re going to have a good day.” He jokingly continues, “The game today – it’s not really that good from my side, but I have good buddies around me so I’m happy to be here.”
Fellow defender Lucas Bartlett, says “It’s everything [to be out here supporting D.C. United Foundation]. This course is amazing. Everything they’ve put on today has been really special and we’re just happy to be here.”
Many of the non-competing D.C. United players were enjoying themselves on the iconic 11th hole, taking photos with every group, trying to best each other off the tee and voting on who the best (which somehow turned into the worst) golfers are on their team. They brought a ton of excitement to the hardest hole at Robert Trent Jones and hyped up every foursome.
As was the D.C. United Foundation’s goal, the non-professional players enjoyed themselves, too (especially after the confidence boost on Hole 11). Brian Plesser, senior counsel at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, says, “It’s a great opportunity to come out and have a good time. The Foundation is doing great work, so it’s anything we can do to support them.”
John Harkes, a 1996-1998 alumnus of D.C. United, a former MLS head coach and a Hall of Famer, adds, “Any time that you have an opportunity to take the initiative to make things better for the kids, community, the organization itself, surrounding family members, I think, ‘Why not?’ and plus, we get to have fun. So, it’s a double bonus today.”
Mosley says, “I’m just incredibly grateful. Here at the club, our staff are out here volunteering, the players are here coming off of a two-game back-to-back win and preparing for playoffs. They have so much pride in our club and what they do in our community because we’re not just talking about it, we are about it. We are hands-on on the ground working with incredible nonprofit partners. Honestly, we care about our community, and we want to make sure that is evident.”
And evident, it was. As the D.C. United Foundation Golf Classic wrapped up with a silent auction, raffle and reception, smiles were on every face as they saw how much their playing today – and the foundation’s hard work – helped their community. The foundation now has over $300,000 to share with the DMV.
Quotes may have been lightly edited for readability.
