About GWAO
Since 1989 GWAO has raised nearly $1.6 million dollars for charity. That makes even a cool aviator crack a smile!
The Greater Washington Aviation Open (GWAO) is the largest aviation charity event in Washington, DC. It has attracted thousands of aviation, defense, and government leaders from all across the country and the world for overthree decades.
The GWAO charity tournament started in 1989 with the support of a few aviation associations, primarily, the Airport Consultants Council, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Air Transport Association, and the National Business Aircraft Association. The purpose of the tournament was to bring the aviation community together to enjoy a day out of the office, with fellow aviation industry leaders and friends, and to donate the proceeds from the event to a worthy cause.
In 1989, the GWAO was honored to have US Senator Wendell Ford as its Honorary Chairman and the tournament proceeds of $7,500 went to Kentucky Educational Television for nationwide General Education Degree (GED) programming. The tournament at Manor Country Club in Maryland drew a very good crowd including then US DOT Secretary Sam Skinner.
For the past two years, GWAO has supported Airlink and the Veterans Airlift Command. Utilizing the power of aviation as a force for good, Airlink works with airline partners and industry supporters to deliver logistical expertise and transportation response in the wake of natural disaster and other humanitarian crises. VAC provides free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes, through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. VAC’s priority is veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The GWAO features a live auction following the golf tournament and Victory Reception. The airline tickets, hotel/resort packages, and prizes are second to none and serve to generate almost half of the tournament proceeds. The GWAO has enjoyed tremendous support from several major aviation and defense companies over the years and we welcome new sponsors.
The Greater Washington Aviation Open is very proud to have raised almost $1.7 million for deserving charities and the people they serve. In the spirit of the tournament’s founders and Board of Directors, we look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful day of camaraderie with your friends and peers, “Fore a great time…Fore a great cause.”
Tournament History
Honorary Chairs2024 Jennifer L. Homendy 2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 |
GWAO Board of DirectorsPresident Vice President Dick DeiTos MWAC Treasurer Joel Bacon Paul Feldman Coley George
Netjets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Matt Holdreith Steve Martin Mary Miller Don Skiados Pete West |
