LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
August 16th started with a BANG, the first of its kind at Eaglewood Golf Course on Langley.
Eighty-four participants played in the Tee it Up for the Troops Golf tournament, raising nearly $1,300.
Tee it up for the Troops Golf Tournament was organized by various members of the 1st Fighter Wing's People Helping People Committee.
PHP is comprised of base agencies that develop programs to improve morale and positively benefit the military community.
"A golf tournament is a great way to have fun and raise money for a good cause that supports our military members and their families," said Chief Master Sgt. Francis Graham, reminding the players that all proceeds were "for the troops" and encouraging them to donate.
Eaglewood Golf Course did an outstanding job in assisting with the "behind the scenes" efforts, according to Julie Couture, Tee it Up Golf Coordinator.
"Mr. Bill Ruark [Eaglewood course manager] is a great asset to the golf course and the Langley community," said Michelle Padgett, Tee it Up Assistant Coordinator.
The golf course graciously donated an Odyssey 2 ball putter for one of the competitions as well as other prizes.
"Mr. Ruark organized 22 staff members in a coordinated effort to pump the water from the course due to the night before showers," she said. "Those volunteers made it possible to keep the originally scheduled date."
Both programs are relatively new, Tee it up for the Troops Inc was established in 2005, and Wounded Warrior Project in 2003, so this golf tournament served as a great opportunity to help both organizations.
"This tournament would not have been as successful without the support of the base population," said RJ Meade, Wounded Warrior Project Liaison.
Mr. Meade took the opportunity to golf with several participants supporting the project.
His team members benefited from the many stories he told regarding his non-profit organization, including the trips they sponsor to teach young disabled war veterans to ski or how they funded and transported a group of disabled veterans and selected family members on a memorable trip to Alaska.
Langley became involved with Tee it up for the Troops by accident, according to the Tee it Up Coordinator, Julie Couture.
"I was looking on the America Supports You Web-site [www.americasupportsyou.com] for information to assist deployed families, and noticed a link to the Tee it up for the Troops, Inc, website. For such a great program, there had to be a way for Langley to get involved with this worthy cause."
Because Tee it up for the Troops, Inc, partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project this year, proceeds will benefit the wounded or fallen military members and their families.
For more information on both of these non-profit organizations, please go to their Web-sites: www.teeitupforthetroops.com and www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
"We are hoping to continue the tradition and hold a golf tournament next year," stated Maj Melissa Gould, PHP Chairperson. Our goal next year is to double the donations raised. Thanks to Team Langley, we are taking care of our military members and their families.