Officials with the third annual Tee It Up For The Troops’ event say $200,000 has been raised so far to help area veterans and soldiers.  Peoria has raised nearly $500,000 for the event in the last three years.  That's a quarter of all the money raised for the program nation-wide.  Frank Benningfield is chairman of Tee It Up For the Troops of Central Illinois.  He says the large number of people giving reflects local ties to the military.

“They’ve had family members at some point and time who’s been in the service,” Benningfield says.

“Someone at least has sacrificed in some way shape and form to allow us the freedoms and benefits that we have as a result of what they have done for us.  And because of that there’s more of an ability to give.:

264 veterans and active duty service members golfed at the Weaver Ridge, Mount Hawley and Peoria Country Clubs today.  A plane fly-over, a parachute-landing and a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers took place before the participants teed-off.  Benningfield says he hopes to add another golf course to the event next year.  He says the money raised will go toward military support organizations including scholarships for children of fallen soldiers and the Wounded Warriors program of Central Illinois.