Beau Rivage Welcomes More than 100 Competitors for VGA’s Signature Event
BILOXI, Miss. (Sept. 14, 2026) – The Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) National Championship returns Oct. 4-8, 2026, bringing one of golf’s most meaningful and emotional events to Fallen Oak, MGM Resorts International’s Tom Fazio‑designed championship course at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. From the patriotic opening ceremonies to the presentation of the iconic red jackets, the VGA National Championship remains a celebration of service, sportsmanship, and the enduring bond shared by America’s military community.
More than 100 VGA members from across the United States — representing every branch of the Armed Services — will compete for national titles in four divisions: Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Combat Wounded Veterans, and Family Members. Opening ceremonies at Fallen Oak will take place Monday morning, Oct. 5, with the champions’ red jacket dinner on Wednesday evening, Oct. 7.
Headquartered in Pinehurst, N.C., the VGA is a national nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of American military Veterans and their families through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf. With more than 50,000 members served nationwide, the VGA hosts thousands of local VGA Tour events each year. Qualifiers from four Regional Championships and the Senior VGA Championship earn their place in the National Championship every fall, which remains free for all participants.
Co‑founded in 2014 by former Army Captains and Airborne Rangers Josh Peyton and Joe Caley, the VGA has created a nationwide community where Veterans find connection, purpose, and support through the game of golf.
“Each year, this championship reminds us why the VGA exists,” said Peyton, the organization’s President and CEO. “Fallen Oak is an extraordinary stage, and Beau Rivage’s hospitality reflects the respect our Veterans deserve. This event honors their service, their resilience, and the powerful community they’ve built together through golf.”
Widely regarded as one of the premier championship courses in the South – and available exclusively to guests of Beau Rivage – Fallen Oak is known for its towering oaks, dramatic bunkering and pristine conditioning.
Beau Rivage is MGM Resorts International’s 1,727-room beachfront destination in Biloxi, featuring 13 restaurants, four bars and lounges, an 85,000-square-foot casino, a 1,550-seat theatre, a world-class spa and salon, and an upscale shopping promenade with 12 retail shops and an MGM Golf multi-sport immersion simulator.
Since 2014, the VGA has hosted more than 15,000 tournaments and 300,000 rounds of golf for Veterans and their families. Membership is open to all U.S. Veterans — wounded, non‑wounded, disabled, active duty, and retired — as well as family members age 18 and older.
Video highlights and details about the VGA’s mission can be found at www.vgagolf.org.
About the VGA
Many Veterans face significant physical and emotional health issues, isolation, and loss of connection. The VGA helps Veterans find belonging with each other, spend quality time with family members and engage with the community through the game of golf. VGA programs allow members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through local league play, regional tournaments, and national championships, reinforcing values like integrity, respect, self-esteem and perseverance. To learn more, please visit www.vgagolf.org
About Fallen Oak
Designed by legendary course architect Tom Fazio, Fallen Oak stands alongside Las Vegas’ Shadow Creek as the only championship golf courses built exclusively by MGM Resorts International for its guests. Nestled on the edge of the DeSoto National Forest just 20 miles north of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, this 7,487-yard masterpiece has received more than 30 national accolades and is consistently ranked by Golf Digest and Golfweek as Mississippi’s top course. Renowned for its strategic tee-to-green layout, dramatic elevation changes, and seamless harmony with the Gulf Coast’s natural topography, Fallen Oak was home to the PGA TOUR Champions Tour for more than a decade and now hosts the prestigious Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational, solidifying its reputation as a premier test of skill and timeless elegance. For tee times and resort packages, visit beaurivage.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Charles Upchurch, Veterans Golf Association, cupchurch@fwv.us.com. 919-395-1588
Mary Cracchiolo, Beau Rivage/Fallen Oak, mspain@mgmresorts.com, 228-547-8473
