13 Years of Golfing for a Purpose: Annual Golf Tournament Expected to Reach $1 Million Milestone

RL James Exteriors founder Robert “Bob” James turns a passion for giving back into lasting support for Florida’s veterans

What began 13 years ago as a golf tournament with a desire to give back has grown into one of PROJECT: VetRelief’s largest annual fundraisers. This year, longtime host Robert “Bob” James and RL James Exteriors are anticipating reaching an extraordinary milestone: $1 million in cumulative net proceeds raised through the tournament in support of Florida veterans.

The 13th Annual PROJECT: VetRelief Golf Tournament will take place Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Golden Bear Club in Windermere, bringing together businesses, community leaders and supporters for a sold-out day of purpose, patriotism and giving back.

For Bob and his wife, Rita, supporting veterans is deeply personal. While neither of them served in the military, both come from families with a proud history of military service. Bob’s father served in the U.S. Navy and passed away when Bob was young. Years later, Bob learned that veterans’ benefits had helped support his widowed mother and their six children. He hadn’t fully understood the impact as a child, but now it helped inspire his desire to continue to pay it forward.

Together, Bob and Rita turned that gratitude into action. With the support of an incredible network of their sponsors, donors, and friends, their annual tournament has grown into a 13-year commitment to those who served. In 2025 alone, the event generated $96,992 for PROJECT: VetRelief, putting this year’s tournament within reach of the $1 million cumulative milestone.

The achievement represents far more than a fundraising total. It reflects Bob and Rita’s long-term commitment to giving back and their ability to bring a community together year after year in support of veterans and military families.

This year’s tournament will also highlight two Strategic Partners of PROJECT: VetRelief’s Suicide Prevention Initiative. Eric Anderson of Spirit Equine Therapy will help kick off the opening ceremony with the tournament’s signature horseback “shotgun” start, while Elizabeth Kirchmeier of SOF Missions will serve as Featured Guest Speaker during the awards banquet. Both organizations are part of a growing network working alongside PROJECT: VetRelief to provide veterans with access to mental health, wellness and therapeutic programs.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit PROJECT: VetRelief, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and official program of The American Legion, Department of Florida. Through its Emergency Assistance Program and Suicide Prevention Initiative, PROJECT: VetRelief provides financial relief to veterans and military families facing unexpected hardships while supporting organizations that provide critical mental health, wellness and therapeutic services.

With this year’s tournament completely sold out, the 13th annual event represents more than another day on the golf course. It is a celebration of what can happen when gratitude becomes action, and a community spends 13 years golfing for a purpose.