Golf Tournament Raises About 60K for Wounded Warriors Project

Retired Maj.Gen. Donald C. Hilbert kicked-off the The 2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Project; Operation Golf For Warriors event in a flag ceremony with a full incoming and outgoing Marine Honor Guard at on Monday. 

A full day of events followed the flag ceremony to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), including a golf tournament where 140 golfers participated in a net best two ball format.  Approximately one third of the golfers were Chartwell golf members, many of whom had former military experience.

One foursome included Class of 1965 West Point Academy graduates, Jack Thommason, Larry Strassner, Jim Tillman and Bob Frank. There were also a few players who are single and double amputees with prosthetic arms or legs.  Double amputee Ryan Kules played in the golf tournament and is the director of alumni Affairs for the WWP.

Organizer Steve Lombardo said he got involved with the project after he watched the "Bill O’Reilly" show  in 2004. He was impressed with the WWP mission, which is about honoring and empowering wounded warriors.  

Lombardo also worked for a company that sold pain management products and his territory included Bethesda where Walter Reed Army Medical Center is located and where many of the severely wounded soldiers are treated.

He also became involved in the “White House to Lighthouse” WWP Soldier Ride, a race that raises public awareness of the challenges facing veterans as they recover from life-altering injuries. According to the WWP website, approximately one in five veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or major depression.

Sgt. 1st class Ramon Padilla of Waldorf, MD who lost his arm in Afghanistan in July 2007 had never played golf before he lost his arm, but now claims that “golf mentally and physically is the best sport out there.”

Padilla first met Chartwell golf instructor Ben Pellicani during a golf clinic for wounded veterans. Pellicani then introduced Padilla to Lombardo who helped Padilla out during his pain management at Walter Reed Hospital and a friendship was formed.

"The WWP programs are not just benefiting Walter Reed, but everyone all over the country," Padilla said, adding, "To be here especially on Memorial Weekend is great."

In addition to the golf tournament, there was a live and silent auction dinner. During the dinner, live entertainment was provided by the Severna Park native, Dan Haas Band.  

Guest speaker John Boerstler shared his experience as a soldier and what the WWP programs have to offer. In between the live and silent auctions, they had a “Sneakers for Soldiers” event where you could purchase New Balance sneakers to benefit soldiers that are being treated at Walter Reed. The sneakers come in custom styles with each of the military branch colors and logos embroidered on them.

“ Last year we sold about 40 pairs, and this year we sold over 100 pairs of sneakers, which is amazing,” said organizer Mary Michael “Mike” Lombardo. Robert (Bob) Evans who works for New Balance, donates the net proceeds as well as sneaker samples to Walter Reed. “The end result is a ‘win/win’ situation for all,” said Lombardo.

 “The fact that Chartwell is associated with such a fantastic cause gives both the members and staff tremendous pride in being the host facility," said Phil Sainsbury, Chartwell's head golf pro. "With the tireless enthusiasm demonstrated by Steve Lombardo and the number of Chartwell families that have been or still are affiliated with the armed services in some way, The Wounded Warrior Project; Operation Golf For Warriors has established itself as an event that all will continue to look forward to for years to come.”

Last year the inaugural event raised $48,000. This year, as a result of the golf tournament, corporate and personal donations, live and silent auction, an estimated $60,000 was raised to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project according to Lombardo. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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