Current and Former Members of Congress Tee Up to Benefit Nation’s Wounded Warriors
June 12, 2009 — Rockville, Md. — Today, Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA), one of the largest sporting organizations for people with physical disabilities, announced that more than 50 current and former Members of Congress will participate in a charity golf tournament on June 15, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va., to benefit severely wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The 2nd Annual Congressional Charity Golf Classic, hosted by the United States Association of Former Members of Congress, will include Wounded Warriors playing with active and former members of Congress in a “scramble” format. The event is co-chaired by United States Representatives Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) and former Congressmen Dennis Hertel (D-Mich.) and Ken Kramer (R-Colo.).
This is the second year the annual tournament is designating proceeds to benefit the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project (WWDSP). WWDSP is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior Project, providing sports rehabilitation programs for service men and women who have suffered amputations, head and spinal injury, and/or visual impairment as a result of injuries incurred in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) has joined Disabled Sports USA to provide ongoing instruction to the severely wounded with professional instructors trained specifically in adaptations to golf.
Wounded Warriors will attend a practice clinic prior to the tournament. In addition, representatives of golf club manufacturer PING will offer a custom fitting to Wounded Warrior U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Rafael Delgado. Sgt. Delgado sustained traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device while serving in Iraq. PING provides custom-made clubs to the severely wounded who complete an eight-week course offered by Disabled Sports USA and the PGA under its Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project.
“Disabled Sports USA does impressive work with our nation’s injured military,” said Hon. John J. Rhodes III, former Member of Congress and president of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. “Their mission focuses on the men and women who deserve and need our support like no other group. Via the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, whole families can begin the healing process and can come together to support their loved one. We considered many different worthy organizations to benefit by way of our charitable tournament. The search was over once we met the leadership and staff of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, and, more importantly, once we met the Wounded Warriors who participate in their programs. We are honored that we can support their important mission with our golf tournament and hope to do so for many years to come.”
“The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project includes active sports that show our injured they can lead full and active lives despite their severe wounds,” said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. “All activities are provided free of cost to the Wounded Warrior and his or her family. The program is fully funded by private sector donations, so tournaments like these are critical to our success at providing services to our deserving service members.”
In addition to the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, sponsors of the tournament include Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Charitable Foundation, TEE IT UP FOR THE TROOPS Inc., Trijicon, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, American Council for Excellence and Opportunity, PhRMA, PING Inc., National Beer Wholesalers Association, and BMW of Fairfax.
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