Happy Assistance Dog Day! While only a small minority of courses allow dogs to accompany players on the course, nearly all courses do make an exception for service or guide dogs (sometimes notification is required). Here are a couple of their stories:

• “He stepped off the tee box, tattooed legs carrying him toward a man holding Cody, Madore’s service dog. The 6-year-old Labradoodle watched as his owner took the leash and led him back toward the golf cart. Madore hopped in the passenger seat. Cody, in his service-dog vest — adorned with 101st Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division patches — climbed in after his owner…K9s For Warriors is one of those groups that will benefit from this year’s classic. Madore, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, is a graduate of the program. Cody, Madore says, saved his life. The dog helps his owner go out in public, enjoy a round of golf. Cody ensures Madore doesn’t socially isolate himself — and fall back into the ‘downward spiral’ he was in four years ago.” – A veteran and his service dog live above par lives | The State
• “While PGA Tour player Billy Horschel was practicing Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship, the real star on the course was a golden retriever named Nola. Nola is in training with K9s for Warriors, a non-profit organization based in Ponte Vedra Beach which trains dogs to become service animals for veterans.“ – A dog on the course? Billy Horschel sponsors K9s for Warriors service dog