Warriors Handle Their Business on the Course
Annual Rider Cup-style golf tournament matches active-duty and veteran service members
against Patriot Point supporters in a two-day event
The Military Bowl Foundation recently held its annual Wimps vs. Warriors golf tournament at two of the top golf courses on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Warriors, a group of active-duty and veteran service members and first responders, took care of business, retaining their championship trophy in the Ryder Cup-style event.
But as fun as it was to hit the links and beat the “Wimps” – a group of patriotic Americans who are successful in their personal and business lives and also recognize the importance of supporting the nation’s service members – it was even more satisfying to spend time together as a group.
“It was an absolutely amazing event,” said Matt Savage, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran who took up golf through the Adaptive Sports Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center while recovering from a traumatic brain injury. “I really like the intimate feel of it. It’s not blown out of proportion where, as a veteran, it’s a dog and pony show.”
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“It’s an intimate, immersive event, where we’re with the Wimps or donors and can build a relationship and talk about things and they can get a better understanding of what Patriot Point can do and how veterans can use Patriot Point.”
The group hit the courses at Talbot Country Club and the Links at Perry Cabin over two days for some heated competition.
“This event gives the Warriors the opportunity to be themselves and relax. The Wimps have the opportunity to appreciate that these are just good people, like any of our neighbors, but they did something most people haven’t done and served our country,” said Bill Slater, a longtime Patriot Point supporter and one of the event’s organizers. “They don’t want pity. They don’t want attention. They just want the opportunity to heal and get better – exactly what Patriot Point provides each and every one of its guests who pass through its gate. They beat us every year, but it’s a blast!”
Both the Warriors and Wimps said that the event’s opening night dinner at Patriot Point was extremely poignant.
“Those moments before the meal, the closeness of hanging out on the dock or the porch, those were the moments that really meant the most,” Savage said. “After golf, where we hung out with each other, we got to talk with each other and learn each other’s stories.”
“One hundred percent! Without a doubt, it is more about fellowship,” Slater said. “The golf is good – and we really want to thank Marc Kimminau at Talbot Country Club and Andrew Itterly at the Links at Perry Cabin and their staffs for their incredible hospitality – but the dinner is a game changer.”
The Warriors lineup included several golfers who have competed in the annual Simpson Cup tournament between teams of injured service members and veterans from the United States and their British counterparts. U.S. Army MSG (ret.) Eli Villanueva, a 22-year veteran who spent his last 11 years of service with a special missions unit within the Special Operations Command, tore up the course. He shot a 2-under par 70 at the Links at Perry Cabin to lead the Warriors to their victory.
Castellanos, Taylor, Villanueva and Young all played on Team USA at the 2024 Simpson Cup and will play again for Team USA at the 2025 Simpson Cup beginning Sept. 28 at Royal St. George’s and Princes Golf Club in Kent, England.