Wounded Warrior Golf Events

 Kingsmill Golf Tournament 

and

Wintergreen Resort & Wintergreen Adaptive Sports'

"Support our Troops" Golf Weekend

On 18 July 2009, at the beautiful Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg VA, WAS held it's first golf tournament supporting it's wounded warrior program.  Since 2004 WAS has responded to an emerging need to support warriors wounded in battle in Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The program initially consisted of winter alpine skiing instruction but, within the last few years, it also includes summer time sporting opportunities (boating and now golfing) for our warriors.

The 18 Jul event at Kingsmill was both a fund raiser and a golfing opportunity for 16 warriors from the Hampton Roads Veterans Hospital, the Fort Eustis Warrior Transition Unit, and the Camp Lejeune, NC, WW Barracks.  In total, the event was heartily supported by 52 golfers, four corporate sponsors, local and national USO organizations, and Wintergreen and Kingsmill Resorts. Over 70 folks attended the post tournament luncheon largely funded by USO National.  The luncheon consisted of a delicious BBQ fare and featured speakers including Michael Zuckerman, WAS Executive Director; Mr. Juston Reynolds, USO National, and keynote speaker LT (Ret) Ed Salau, Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) & Charities Program Coordinator, Wounded Warrior Battalion - East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Ed shared key insights in how he reclaimed his life following the harrowing loss of one leg. The theme he presented in words and in a video he produced with his son included the message -- Yes, you can overcome adversity to enjoy and appreciate life again.  The presentations of awards recognized those who excelled on the golf course (and those who did not). The first place winning team of Ron Schuller, John Wallace, Jim Touhill, and Bruce Worrell graciously gave back their $500 first place prize to support future WW golfing opportunities -- thanks guys!. Jim Touhill was also fortunate to win the grand raffle prize of a free weekend stay at Kingsmill Resort.

In conjunction with USO assistance and the great Kingsmill Resort staff the event would not have been possible without the sponsorship of the following companies: Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, and General Dynamics Lands Systems. Northrop Grumman Corp. also supported the January 2009 WAS Wounded Warrior Weekend (WWW5) and provided key assistance leading up to this event.  The tournament was also supported by East Coast Utility Contractors who made a special effort to help sponsor our warriors.

Numerous other individuals and businesses supported this event and include: The College of William and Mary, ALC Copies, Fidelity Printing, Inc., Calloway Golf, Fort Eustis Pro Shop, International Golf Discount, Morgan Stanley, the Biehl Family, and Disabled Sports USA.

WAS Volunteers supporting this event included, Michael Zuckerman, John Maine, Bernie Mahan, Chris Ziegler, Leslie Warfield, Scott Wiggins, Andrew Crane, Caroline Ely, Marylou Zapf, Ashley Zapf, and Heather Zapf.  Don Lisenbee, from Northrop Grumman Corp provided invaluable assistance as did another Newport News, VA, volunteer Vince Berardini -- THANK YOU TO ALL!!

In summary, the event succeeded in fulfilling the WAS objectives established for this tournament, that of: hosting a quality event, providing WWs a festive day and an opportunity to play golf, raising needed funds to support year round adaptive WW sporting opportunities, and to expand public awareness of WAS in a new region supported by new sponsors. Probably the strongest measure of success came from one warrior from the VA Hospital who described the event as "being like Christmas".

Again, THANK YOU to all individuals, businesses, organizations, and sponsors who supported this event.