Above- par salute to military, vets

Report to theHonda Classic on the double, soldier!

ThePGA tournament is giving a great big salute to South Florida military in Palm Beach Gardens thisweek, offering free tournament tickets with the “Birdies for the Brave” program.

Active- duty servicemembers, reservists, retirees, registered dependents and nonretired vets can get free tickets to the four- dayPGAtournament, which will tee off starting Thursday atPGANational Resort and Spa.

Pretty nice freebie. Tickets cost $ 40 per day in advance and $ 50 at the gate.

Agreat additional perk is free entry to the Patriots’ Outpost, an 8,200- square- foot hospitality pavilion overlooking all the action on the par- 317th hole.

Best seats in the house. The Outpost is within putting distance fromtheWaterford Club, an upscale pavilion charging 300 clams a day.

Kick back and have a few free beers in the open- air pavilion asNo. 1- ranked Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and AdamScott attack the last hole of the demanding BearTrap, designed by JackNicklaus. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and beverages will be served daily. Bring military IDs and dependent IDs.

This is the second year free tournament tickets have been offered, but sponsorsUnited Technologies Corp., Pratt& Witney, and Sikorsky Aircraft are rolling out the red carpet this time around.

“We look forward towelcoming local veterans and other military servicemen and - women to the Patriots’ Outpost, and personally expressing our gratitude,” said Scott Starrett, a Sikorsky vice president, in a release.

Friends and family without a dependent card get in for halfprice, too. Ticket- holders can buy up to four tickets a day at $ 20 each.

Thursday is MilitaryAppreciationDay, with a concert by saxophonistBranfordMarsalis, a care- package station to donate to troops, among other fun events.

Go to Sun Sentinel. com/ Honda to register and get military service verified to get free tickets, or call 888- 238- 9835. There is a $ 1 verification fee.