Golf Invitational At Pax To Celebrate “250 Years Of Freedom” While Supporting Future Aviators

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Beneath the roar of practicing air show jets and overlooking sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay, golfers, military leaders and business professionals will soon gather on one of Southern Maryland’s most historic courses for an event organizers hope becomes part celebration, part networking opportunity and part investment in the region’s future aviators.

The Chamber of Commerce’s “250 Years of Freedom” Golf Invitational is scheduled for June 17, 2026, at Cedar Point Golf Course aboard NAS Patuxent River, where organizers say participants can expect championship golf, Blue Angels practice flights overhead, gourmet catering, contests and opportunities to connect with leaders from across the military, aviation and business communities.

But beyond the golf itself, organizers say the event is designed to showcase Southern Maryland’s deep ties to aviation, military heritage and STEM workforce development during one of the region’s most celebrated weeks surrounding the Pax River Air Show.

Building A Weeklong Air Show Atmosphere

“We wanted to showcase the county, allow for military and other companies to network,” said David Davison, board member with the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce.

Davison said organizers drew inspiration from large-scale aviation celebrations like the Dayton Air Show in Ohio, where communities host events throughout the week surrounding the air show itself.

He said organizers hope Southern Maryland can build a similar atmosphere around the NAS Patuxent River Air Show by bringing together residents, military personnel and businesses through events tied to the celebration.

According to organizers, more than 30 military installations across the country host air shows connected to celebrations of America’s independence and military heritage.

Registration Still Open

The event is still accepting sponsors and participants. Davison said organizers currently have approximately 120 individual players and around 30 foursomes registered, with roughly 70 spots still available.

Organizers encourage businesses, residents and military supporters interested in participating to register before the June 17 event. Dana Rebarchick of Blue Wind Gourmet will be managing and organizing this terrific fundraiser! 

Register here: The Chamber of Commerce’s “250 Years of Freedom” Golf Invitational

A Championship Course Along The Chesapeake

The tournament will unfold at Cedar Point Golf Course, a par 72 championship course stretching 6,714 yards from its longest tees along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River.

Known for its narrow, tree-lined bermudagrass fairways, strategically bunkered greens and waterfront scenery, the course has long been considered one of the region’s most picturesque military golf destinations.

Originally opened in 1947, Cedar Point was redesigned into its current layout in 1954 before undergoing a major renovation in 1998 and 1999 that added USGA bentgrass greens, upgraded bunkers, modern irrigation systems and a full-service clubhouse. A second bunker renovation completed in 2014 helped maintain the course’s championship-level conditions.

Davison noted that hosting the tournament at Cedar Point Golf Course offers many participants a rare opportunity to experience a championship course located aboard NAS Patuxent River, since most members of the public do not typically have access to military installations.

On June 17, the historic course will serve as the backdrop for what organizers describe as one of Southern Maryland’s premier golf events during the height of air show week festivities.

Blue Angels, Contests And Networking

As golfers make their way across Cedar Point’s waterfront fairways, organizers say participants may also witness air show aircraft practicing overhead throughout the day, including potential Blue Angels flyovers connected to preparations for the upcoming NAS Patuxent River Air Show.

Beyond tournament play, the event is designed to create an atmosphere that blends championship golf with Southern Maryland’s aviation and military culture.

Participants can expect closest-to-the-pin and longest-drive competitions, gourmet food and refreshments throughout the day, premium prizes and opportunities to network with leaders from the military, aviation and business communities.

Special speakers such as retired Adm. Scott Sanders is expected to speak during the event as organizers continue efforts to connect the tournament with the region’s strong military and aviation heritage.

Supporting Southern Maryland’s Future Aviators

While the tournament celebrates golf, patriotism and community partnership, organizers say its long-term impact centers on Southern Maryland’s next generation of aviation professionals.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ready 9 Aviation Academy, or R9AA, a Southern Maryland nonprofit dedicated to promoting aviation as a STEM career field through hands-on educational opportunities for youth and adults.

Named after the “Ready Rooms” aboard aircraft carriers where naval aviators plan and prepare missions, the organization is building a program called “Every Student Flies,” an initiative aimed at giving every high school-aged student in Southern Maryland the opportunity to experience a free introductory flight.

Organizers say the academy helps bridge the gap between traditional STEM education and real-world aviation experiences connected to NAS Patuxent River’s flight test, engineering and aerospace workforce.

“One of the largest barriers the organization hopes to address is affordability for students interested in aviation opportunities,” Davison said.

He also noted programs like Ready 9 Aviation Academy can help attract more families and future professionals to St. Mary’s County by creating educational pathways tied directly to the region’s aviation and aerospace industries.

Flight Academy Partnership Expands Opportunities

Ready 9 Aviation Academy recently partnered with St. Mary’s Ryken High School through the school’s Flight Academy program, helping students participate in discovery flights connected to the “Every Student Flies” initiative.

According to St. Mary’s Ryken, students participating in the program completed ground instruction and logged their first official instructional flight time with FAA-certified instructors.

Davison, a former Navy pilot and instructor, recently helped sponsor discovery flights for students involved in the program as part of broader efforts to make aviation opportunities more accessible to local youth. You can read more about this in St. Mary’s Ryken News. 

Organizers say support generated through events like the Golf Invitational directly contributes to expanding opportunities for students interested in aviation, engineering and STEM careers connected to NAS Patuxent River and the broader defense industry.

While golfers take to the fairways beneath practicing air show jets, organizers hope the June 17 event serves as both a celebration of 250 years of American freedom and an investment in the young aviators who may one day carry that legacy forward.

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