Landscapes Golf Management Launches ‘Lead the Way on the Longest Day’ Charity Initiative

As golfers across the country prepare for the longest day of the year, one of the golf industry’s most respected management companies is turning extra daylight into an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Landscapes Golf Management has announced the launch of its inaugural “Lead the Way on the Longest Day” initiative, a company-wide fundraising effort taking place on the summer solstice, June 21, 2026. The program will engage golfers, club members, employees, and local communities at more than 70 golf courses, country clubs, and destination clubs managed by Landscapes Golf Management across 26 states.

The goal is simple: leverage the year’s longest day to support charitable causes both nationally and locally.

Golf as a Force for Good

The summer solstice provides approximately 15 hours of daylight in much of the United States, creating an ideal setting for a full day of golf-centered activities. Participating properties will host a variety of events including:

• Sunrise-to-sunset golf marathons
• Golf tournaments
• Twilight outings
• Instructional clinics
• Family golf games
• Live music and concerts
• Theme parties
• Merchandise promotions
• Raffles and auctions
• Donation matching campaigns
• Community fundraising activities

Funds raised during the event will benefit both local charities and the On Course Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping wounded, injured, and sick military veterans successfully transition back into civilian life through the game of golf.

“Selection of summer solstice day is intentional,” said Scot Wellman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Landscapes Golf Management. “It optimizes the time to inspire, rally and activate the communities we serve for the shared purpose of supporting meaningful causes and having fun in the process.”

Supporting Veterans Through Golf

The On Course Foundation has become one of golf’s most impactful charitable organizations.

Founded in 2010 by John Simpson, former business manager to golf legends including Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, and Nick Price, the organization uses golf as a vehicle for healing, personal growth, and career development.

The foundation serves more than 2,000 military veterans in the United States and the United Kingdom, helping participants build confidence, learn new skills, and explore employment opportunities within the golf industry.

Many veterans are introduced to golf through the program, overcoming significant physical and psychological challenges while discovering a lifelong connection to the game.

The organization’s signature event, the annual Simpson Cup, showcases just how transformative golf can be, with veterans from the U.S. and U.K. competing in Ryder Cup-style matches at an impressively high level of play.

A Culture Built Around Service

While many golf management companies focus solely on operations and profitability, Landscapes Golf Management has increasingly distinguished itself through its emphasis on culture, leadership development, and community engagement.

That philosophy was a key topic during a recent Chicago Golf Report Podcast interview with Landscapes Golf Management CEO Mark Mattingly. During the conversation, Mattingly discussed how the company’s success is driven by a people-first culture that emphasizes leadership, employee development, hospitality, and long-term community relationships.

The new “Lead the Way on the Longest Day” initiative appears to be a natural extension of those values.

Landscapes Golf Management identifies its core values as:

• Lead
• Do What’s Right
• Find a Way
• Take Care of Each Other
• Be the Best

Those principles are reflected not only in daily club operations but also in company-wide initiatives like this summer solstice fundraiser.

Landscapes Golf Management has quietly become one of the most influential operators in the country, managing 70+ courses across 27 states while maintaining a boutique, family-owned approach. Landscapes currently manages six properties in the Chicagoland area:

• Pinecrest Golf Club
• Crystal Woods Golf Course
• Bull Valley Golf Club (Woodstock)
• Lake Barrington Shores Golf Club
• Hughes Creek Golf Course
• Settler’s Hill Golf Course

Leadership Development in Action

Another unique aspect of the program is the involvement of Landscapes Golf Management team members through the company’s internal leadership training platform known as “L University.”

The inaugural planning committee includes:

• Craig Franke (Monroe Golf Club, Wisconsin)
• Hunter Johnson (The Golf Club at Devils Tower, Wyoming)
• John Kane (Butler’s Golf Course, Pennsylvania)
• Murphy Klein (Corporate Marketing)
• Scot Wellman (Vice President of Sales and Marketing)

Committee leadership will rotate annually, giving team members across the company opportunities to develop leadership skills while creating positive community impact.

Why It Matters

Golf has long served as a platform for charitable giving, but initiatives like “Lead the Way on the Longest Day” demonstrate how the industry can unite around a common cause while strengthening local communities.

For golfers, participation offers an opportunity to enjoy a memorable day on the course while supporting veterans and local nonprofit organizations. For clubs and facilities, it provides a chance to engage members and guests around a shared mission.

And for veterans supported by the On Course Foundation, every dollar raised helps create new opportunities for rehabilitation, education, employment, and connection through the game.

As the sun rises on June 21 and golfers tee it up from dawn until dusk, the longest day of the year may also become one of the most meaningful days on the golf calendar.