Golf Event Raises More Than $450,000 for Severely Injured Veterans at the 4th Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge Presented by Lockton Companies

September 10th 2019
Fifty-two injured military veterans had the opportunity to play at one of the country’s most prestigious golf clubs, The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The veterans were guests at the 4th Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge presented by Lockton Companies on Sept. 9. Each Warfighter joined a foursome at the event, bringing the total number of participants to 268 golfers. 1982 Masters Champion Craig Stadler and former PGA TOUR Pro Pat McGowan also participated.
“We were honored to host the 4th Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge,” said David Giulietti, Senior Vice President Lockton Companies. “Playing and raising money for these heroes has truly been our honor. They were thanking us at every turn, but it should be us thanking them for protecting our freedom and being heroes in every sense of the word!”
Since 2016, the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge has raised over $1 million to support injured warfighters participating in the Warfighter Sports program, a program of Disabled Sports USA. Funds raised from the event are used on an ongoing basis to continue helping in the recovery of those wounded physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
“The support brought to this event by Lockton Companies and partners of the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge is incredible,” said Glenn Merry, Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA. “Their generous donations provide critically needed adaptive sports rehabilitation to our nation’s most severely injured. A special thank you to Gary Giulietti, President/Partner with Lockton Companies, and his family for their continued leadership, patriotism, and backing of the Warfighters Sports program at Disabled Sports USA.”
The success of the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge enabled Disabled Sports USA to reach 1,937 of the most severely wounded and injured warriors and their families in 2019. “Engagement through sport changes lives through increased confidence, motivation and socialization, leading to successes at home, school, and work,” Merry said.
The event, with a breakfast hosted by DADA Holdings, included unique pro demonstrations on the driving range, a putting contest, and the National Anthem sung by the son of a New York City firefighter. Eric Trump, who also golfed the event, welcomed the participants and thanked them for their service, noting that the American flag flies proudly at all Trump Resorts. Trump National Golf Club provided free green fees to the participating warfighters.
“We were honored to host the 4th Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge,” said David Giulietti, Senior Vice President Lockton Companies. “Playing and raising money for these heroes has truly been our honor. They were thanking us at every turn, but it should be us thanking them for protecting our freedom and being heroes in every sense of the word!”
Since 2016, the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge has raised over $1 million to support injured warfighters participating in the Warfighter Sports program, a program of Disabled Sports USA. Funds raised from the event are used on an ongoing basis to continue helping in the recovery of those wounded physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
“The support brought to this event by Lockton Companies and partners of the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge is incredible,” said Glenn Merry, Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA. “Their generous donations provide critically needed adaptive sports rehabilitation to our nation’s most severely injured. A special thank you to Gary Giulietti, President/Partner with Lockton Companies, and his family for their continued leadership, patriotism, and backing of the Warfighters Sports program at Disabled Sports USA.”
The success of the Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge enabled Disabled Sports USA to reach 1,937 of the most severely wounded and injured warriors and their families in 2019. “Engagement through sport changes lives through increased confidence, motivation and socialization, leading to successes at home, school, and work,” Merry said.
The event, with a breakfast hosted by DADA Holdings, included unique pro demonstrations on the driving range, a putting contest, and the National Anthem sung by the son of a New York City firefighter. Eric Trump, who also golfed the event, welcomed the participants and thanked them for their service, noting that the American flag flies proudly at all Trump Resorts. Trump National Golf Club provided free green fees to the participating warfighters.
“What an awesome day spending time and golfing with over 50 of our warriors at Trump Bedminster!” Stadler said. “I am so honored and fortunate to be able to be with this amazing group of men and women each year and see how they all courageously face their challenges head on. My involvement with DSUSA for more than 20 years has been most rewarding. Kudos to my good buddy Pat McGowan for being with us again this year.”
The shotgun start began at 11 a.m. and prize holes provided incentive for golfers to play their best. It wasn’t uncommon to see winners of prize holes giving their winnings to their veteran teammate. Upon receiving a cash prize, one of the warfighters treated his fellow veterans to purchases in the pro shop. The day finished with a cocktail reception, live auction, and an awards dinner. Among the auction items were golf memorabilia, including a 2019 Masters’ flag signed by Tiger Woods.
“The community outdid themselves when it came to the level of hospitality and love that was shown to all the warriors in attendance,” said Retired Marine Corps Corporal Chris Bowers. “Not only was the venue breathtaking, it was one of the greatest privileges of my young life to golf alongside the POTUS’ youngest son, Eric Trump. Second in age, but second to none when it comes to his patriotism and class. It was an experience I will cherish forever and my heartfelt appreciation goes out to the community, volunteers, and sponsors who support this great cause.”
“We are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge at Trump Bedminster will be September 14, 2020,” said Josh Olson, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies. For information on how to sponsor, contact Dave Simonson at [email protected].
Warfighter Sports has provided free sports rehabilitation instruction to over 15,000 severely wounded veterans and family members, including those from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars in military hospitals and communities across the country. Tax deductible donations from this golf tournament pay for costs of adaptive sports equipment, specialized adaptive instruction, accessible facilities, transportation, meals, and lodging for the wounded warfighter and family member.
The shotgun start began at 11 a.m. and prize holes provided incentive for golfers to play their best. It wasn’t uncommon to see winners of prize holes giving their winnings to their veteran teammate. Upon receiving a cash prize, one of the warfighters treated his fellow veterans to purchases in the pro shop. The day finished with a cocktail reception, live auction, and an awards dinner. Among the auction items were golf memorabilia, including a 2019 Masters’ flag signed by Tiger Woods.
“The community outdid themselves when it came to the level of hospitality and love that was shown to all the warriors in attendance,” said Retired Marine Corps Corporal Chris Bowers. “Not only was the venue breathtaking, it was one of the greatest privileges of my young life to golf alongside the POTUS’ youngest son, Eric Trump. Second in age, but second to none when it comes to his patriotism and class. It was an experience I will cherish forever and my heartfelt appreciation goes out to the community, volunteers, and sponsors who support this great cause.”
“We are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Warfighter Sports Charity Challenge at Trump Bedminster will be September 14, 2020,” said Josh Olson, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies. For information on how to sponsor, contact Dave Simonson at [email protected].
Warfighter Sports has provided free sports rehabilitation instruction to over 15,000 severely wounded veterans and family members, including those from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars in military hospitals and communities across the country. Tax deductible donations from this golf tournament pay for costs of adaptive sports equipment, specialized adaptive instruction, accessible facilities, transportation, meals, and lodging for the wounded warfighter and family member.