The California Department of Veterans Affairs will host the inaugural VetFund Memorial Day Golf Tournament. The VetFund Tournament is a Memorial Day event but will not be held on Memorial Day when families typically begin the vacation season.

The tournament will be on Fri., June 9 and played at the Buenaventura Golf Club, Ventura. The city is the site of one of California's next veterans' homes.

The tournament will have a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m., with registration at 11 a.m. and a putting contest and lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch and a day of fun. Everyone who supports veterans is invited to participate.

"There are many Memorial Day events, but the VetFund Golf Tournament promises to be the one Memorial Day event that actually gives back to veterans," said Tom Johnson, who serves as the Department's secretary. "We have done well with our Veterans' Day tournament and hope our first Memorial Day Tournament in Southern California can equal that success."

The VetFund, which was launched by Johnson, provides funding for special projects of the Department. These projects range from repairs to veterans memorials and supporting programs for homeless veterans, to assisting the Department in providing education and outreach to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The VetFund holds a Veterans' Day Golf Tournament in Sacramento and decided to add a tournament in support of the Southern California Veterans Homes this year.

For details, please call (916) 503-8095.