Event Highlights Archives

June 8, 2016

Tee It Up for the Troops – Vista Valley proudly supports Warrior Foundation~Freedom Station

The Tee It Up for the Troops events at SeaCliff Country Club (Huntington Beach, CA), Vista Valley Country Club (Vista, CA) and Alta Vista Country Club (Placentia, CA) have joined forces to support the Warrior Foundation~Freedom Station located in San Diego, CA. The Warrior Foundation~Freedom Station assists four main groups of warriors: the seriously injured just returning home from war; those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury; those undergoing physical or occupational therapy, and warriors who have been medically retired and remain in our community. To serve this last group in particular, they pioneered a new approach and opened Freedom Station – a unique recovery transition center and housing facility that provides injured warriors with the acclimation time, guidance and resources to successfully make the transition from military service to civilian life.

In particular, the donation of $30,000 from the Vista Valley Country Club event was used to support Freedom Station and the Wheelchairs for Warriors program. As mentioned above, Freedom Station is a unique recovery transition center and housing facility that provides injured warriors with the acclimation time, guidance and resources to successfully make the transition from military service to civilian life.

The Wheelchairs for Warriors program is specifically designed to provide amputees with very lightweight, high quality wheelchairs that are custom-tailored for their specific body measurements. Amputees encounter significant challenges in daily living that most people cannot comprehend. Wheelchairs are the greatest mobility tool that amputees have, whether they are used at home, at work or for therapeutic or recreational activities. The standard-issue wheelchairs provided by the government are bulky, heavy and not easy to maneuver. The ultra light wheelchairs we purchase are custom-made specifically to provide the best fit, form and functionality for each individual warrior. Once a warrior is measured, the wheelchair is built to custom specifications. The “one size fits all” approach does not work for wheelchairs, and that’s why the ultra light wheelchairs are made to measure.

There is also the matter of transporting the wheelchair from place to place, in and out of vehicles. It is not an ideal or particularly safe situation to have amputees struggling to load and unload heavy wheelchairs. These ultra light wheelchairs are exponentially more lightweight, compact, easy to transport when compared to the government-issued wheelchairs. Combined with better handling and significantly more maneuverability, it is easy to see why ultra light wheelchairs significantly improve quality of life for our warriors.

May 25, 2016

Tee It Up for the Troops – SeaCliff proudly supports Warrior Foundation~Freedom Station

In particular, the donation of $37,500 from the SeaCliff Country Club was used to support Freedom Station and the Wolfpack Wheelchair Basketball Team. As mentioned above, the Freedom Station is a unique recovery transition center and housing facility that provides injured warriors with the acclimation time, guidance and resources to successfully make the transition from military service to civilian life.

The San Diego Wolfpack is the only all-military wheelchair basketball team in the United States that is comprised of active duty service members and veterans who have sustained an amputation, spinal cord injury or other orthopedic or neurological disorder. Members from all service branches are included, and the team currently includes players from the Army, Marine Corps and Navy.

For our injured warriors, participating in the Wolfpack has helped to increase quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles and teamwork, and foster a sense of pride and accomplishment. The team truly has much to be proud of. In its second year, the Wolfpack went 27-3 and emerged from 83 teams to finish 2^nd in the national championships. Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station supports the Wolfpack by providing funds for equipment, practice facilities, and transportation, travel and lodging to regional and national games and championships across the country. Some of the required equipment includes uniforms, league regulation basketballs, ultra light wheelchairs and much more.

March 18, 2016

Proceeds From Inaugural Event Held at Bent Tree Country Club Making A Difference!

Retired Marine and Bent Tree Country Club member, Jay Cassen, along with former marine and Asst General Manager, Kyle Ruch, presented Clint Bruce, former Navy Seal and co-founder of Carry The Load with a $46,000 donation which will be used to continue the mission of Carry The Load.

In addition to this local donation, we were also able to contribute another $46,000 to other veteran service organizations including Fisher House Foundation, Disabled Sports USA, and Hope For The Warriors among others!

These donations were made possible from the generous attendees of the Inaugural Tee It Up for the Troops event held at Bent Tree Country Club on Veteran’s Day 2015.

Thank you to all who made these donations possible and for helping Tee It Up for the Troops fulfill OUR MISSION to HONOR, RESPECT, REMEMBER and SUPPORT all those who have served in the armed forces for our great nation!

Bent Tree Tee It Up for the Troop Golf event

February 21, 2016

David Leadbetter and Lydia Ko host clinic at REUNION 2016

Through the fog could be seen nearly 50 veterans, many showing visible signs of injury, some missing an arm, others a leg. With cameras and phones in hand, they gathered around rows of white folding chairs near the end of the range.

They were there to see David Leadbetter and Lydia Ko.

The World No.1 LPGA golfer, Lydia Ko, joined instructor David Leadbetter in leading a clinic for Tee It Up For the Troops, an organization that reconnects soldiers who are wounded, injured, or ill at an annual REUNION event. This year, 45 veterans reunited during the four-day event at, by no coincidence, Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Tee It Up for the Troops event recognizes service and sacrifice

Hundreds gather to Never Forget the events of 9/11 — Hundreds gather to “Never Forget”

ST. PAUL, Minn. –Men and women from the military community gathered for Tee It Up for the Troops’ 11th Annual National Day of Golf at The Meadows at Mystic Lake, Sept. 11, 2015.

The day of golf included a morning round enjoyed by 100 veterans, free of charge, and a paid-sponsorship tournament in the afternoon. In between the two rounds of golf, hundreds of Service members, veterans, military family members and supporters gathered for an hour-long ceremony to remember 9/11, honor the fallen and recognize service.

“This year’s event was something new for us,” said James Ball, Tee It Up for the Troops founder. “We always try to do an event the Friday before 9/11, but this time with it actually being on September 11 it held extra significance in that we had members of the New York Police Department and Fire Department of New York do a wreath laying ceremony with Minnesota Gold Star Families – they were paying tribute to their fallen just as the families were paying respect to the loved ones they had lost.”

It was a somber conclusion to an inspirational ceremony that began with the arrival of 150 motorcyclists, representing Tribute to the Troops, and included a performance by local music artist Rockie Lynne, presentation of the colors and a traditional rendition of “Amazing Grace” performed by a fully-kilted bagpiper.

“Where else could you find the iron of a golf club mixed with the iron of a Harley Davidson like at today’s event?” said Brig. Gen. Jon Jensen, the Minnesota National Guard’s director of the joint staff, who spoke during the ceremony. “All organizations involved in this event, big and small, have turned hatred into love, heartlessness into compassion, and uncertainty and weakness into commitment and resiliency.”

The fundraising event at Mystic Lake was just one of hundreds of Tee It Up for the Troops fundraisers held at golf courses throughout the country since Ball founded the non-profit organization in 2005. Tee It Up for the Troops uses the funds raised to support veterans organizations and national charities, and 50 percent of funds raised at each event stay in the community which hosted it.

“We are honored that The Meadows at Mystic Lake opened their arms to us,” said Ball. “It’s all about coming together to say, ‘thank you,’ and having them know we appreciate their service.”

The event at Mystic Lake was also unique in that the first-ever “Foam of the Brave” event was also held on Sept. 11. The event included drinks by local craft breweries, live music and performances of songs written and studio-produced by veterans with the help of Creativets, an organization that uses art to overcome service-related trauma.

“I sincerely appreciate the time the energy and the effort it takes to put on such a great event,” said Jensen. “On behalf of the more than 13,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard, and our Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone associated with Tee It Up for the Troops.

“But most of all everyone that came out today to be a part of today’s great event – thank you for caring, thank you for being here.”

September 15, 2015
by Staff Sgt. Patrick Loch
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

March 7, 2014

Tee it up Reunion 2014 featured in Florida Golf Central magazine

Reunion 2014 is featured on pages 30-31 of the magazine. What a fabulous reminder of how impactful Reunion 2014 was. Thank you to our Reunion supporters!

Click here to access the article.

February 10, 2014

Tee it up for the Troops – SeaCliff, Huntington Beach, CA

The SeaCliff tournament is one of many tournaments providing an opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women. Attendees include military families, fellow patriots, honored wounded warriors and active duty military guests. In addition to a great day of golf, incredible on-course food and drink, and a fabulous dinner banquet, guests and sponsors have the opportunity to view military displays and experience the thrill of a fly-over. This memorable event touches the hearts of all in attendance!

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February 10, 2014

Tee it up for the Troops – Alta Vista, St. Placentia, CA

In 2007, a dedicated group of members of Alta Vista Country Club committed themselves, their labor and their resources to the wounded warrior cause and conducted the Club’s Inaugural Tee it up for the Troops Golf Tournament. Over the last 7 years the Alta Vista tournament has been TIUFTT most successful single day / single venue event, raising to date some $900,000+.

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February 10, 2014

3rd Annual Reunion Event a Huge Success

110 attendees. 96 golfers. Thirty warriors reunited. Three productive breakout sessions. Numerous connections made. Countless memories created. We were blessed with wonderful sunshine, beautiful surroundings, challenging golf courses, and a wonderful group of people gathered together to support a critical cause – reuniting a diverse group of warriors from all across the country.

“This weekend was one of the greatest moments of my life since becoming a Wounded Warrior and the camaraderie was absolutely incredible. To be part of such a wonderful event and to be around other Wounded Warriors was definitely a healing feeling.”

“You have given me just a little more hope that things can get better and that there are good people in the world. The stories of inspiration from this weekend and the support I received from perfect strangers was more than I ever expected.”

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Some photos courtesy of Moving Warriors Media (Matt Bilancia).

September 25, 2013

EZ-Go Cart Donation at 9th Annual Mendakota Event

Mendota Heights, MN – At the organization’s 9th annual fundraising event in Minnesota, Tee It Up For The Troops announced that they will donate a customized six-person E-Z-GO Golf Cart to each Fisher House that will be built and opened in the next three years.

Fisher Houses are beautiful homes, donated by the Fisher House Foundation to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for a combat injury, illness or disease.

The customized and street-ready golf carts will allow patients to travel from the Veterans hospital where they are receiving treatment to their local Fisher House without getting in and out of a car or van.

In 2012, Tee it up for the Troops donated an E-Z-GO golf cart to the Fisher Houses in Minneapolis and Augusta, Georgia. The organization also donated a golf cart to a medical unit in Afghanistan in 2010.

Fisher House is planning for up to five new homes to open each year through 2016.

“Fisher House continues to be blessed, not just because Tee It Up for the Troops is such a generous benefactor for many years but because they are such a terrific partner in taking care of our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Derek Donovan, Vice President for Programs at Fisher House Foundation. “Although Fisher Houses are located right on the grounds of military hospitals and VA medical centers, our guests are often patients themselves and their mobility is limited. The E-Z-GO golf carts just make life easier and are a daily reminder that organizations like Tee It Up for the Troops are there for our heroes and their families.”

“Fisher House has been a great partner of Tee It Up For The Troops for many years”, said Paul Anderson, President & CEO of Tee it up for the Troops. “Their ability to help ease the burden of finding lodging and food in a time of need for an American Hero is priceless. With the family surrounding the warrior, the healing process, and recovery can begin in a setting of comfort. We are honored to be a small part of that recovery process and hope these golf carts will be a blessing to the veterans and their families.”

Gaby Accad, Owner of Versatile Vehicles in Savage, Minnesota, has been the E-Z-GO dealer responsible for assisting in the project. A supporter of Tee it up for the Troops from the beginning, he continues to see the important value in this project. “E-Z-GO and Versatile Vehicles are proud of the relationship with Tee It Up For The Troops and believe whole-heartedly in our ability to help customize a top-of-the-line street ready golf cart that will be used to ease the burden of transportation to-and-from the hospital for our Heroes,” said Gaby Accad.

Minstar Transport, of St. Paul, has graciously donated the costs of transporting of the cart which will be delivered to the new Tennessee Fisher House in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which will open later this fall.