A slight change to the playing format resulted in what one of the participants called “one of the best events I’ve ever been to.”
In the past, the two-day golf tournament was called Wimps vs. Warriors, matching a team of service members against patriotic civilians who recognize the importance of supporting those who serve the country. This year’s event was rebranded as Wimps and Warriors, creating four-player teams with two Wimps and two Warriors. The result was phenomenal.
“Getting two days to play together is exceptional. That never happens,” said Matt Brugeman, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who served 10 years in the U.S. Army. “And obviously, Patriot Point is hard to beat – that place is special. This format was great. And the people were too, nothing but a good time. It was top notch for me. Really, really special.”
A woodworker, Brugeman volunteered to build a plaque to honor the event’s winners. His concept involves taking purple heart wood (a dense hardwood from South America) and using engraved dog tags for the winners’ names each year.
“What an amazing couple of days!” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck. “Thanks to the Warriors for traveling from near and far to join us. Thanks to the Wimps for their continued dedication to this event and Patriot Point. And thanks to the Salute Military Golf Association for its support.”
Brugeman said that he played some of his best golf in the second round, which took place at Talbot Country Club. On the 13th hole, he stuck a 75-yard wedge shot within three feet of the pin. Two holes later, he chunked a tee shot then put a fairway wood onto the green. The shot he felt best about, though, didn’t help his score. He caught an eight-iron on No. 18 so flush that the ball sailed to the back of the green and rolled off.
Brugeman’s foursome with fellow veteran Nat Morrow and donors Bruce Howard and Tom Frank pulled out the Day Two win with a score of 23-under par. The first round was held at the Links at Perry Cabin.
“It means a lot to me to show appreciation for the people who were combat wounded and struggle with the emotional scars and physical scars the rest of their lives,” said Howard, who served three years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then served 18 years in the reserves. “I love the way they changed the event this year. Instead of us being out there where it would be me and another donor paired against the Warriors who served our country and you are rooting for them but you want to beat them; now you’re all together. Nat and Matt on Thursday, those guys are such high energy and so positive for what they have gone though. It really was great.”
Everyone agreed that the ability for the Wimps and Warriors to get to know each other, first by playing together on the course and then during dinner and spending the night at Patriot Point, made the event even more special.
“You don’t usually get the chance to sit down and thank the people who make this possible,” Brugeman said. “For us to be able to sit down with the donors and say thank you, that was terrific. And the size of it was perfect. It wasn’t a massive group where it gets too big and you lose the special feel of it. It was absolutely a blast. As far as golf events go, nothing I’ve been to has come close to this.”
Proceeds from the event benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers.
To learn more about Patriot Point or to support the event, please contact Patriot Point Senior Director of Development Jen Pusatere at jpusatere@patriotpoint.org.