Meadowcreek hosts benefit for troops

For most golfers, nothing beats enjoying a round on a beautiful day. For the participants in the First Annual Football Fans Charitable Golf Tournament at Meadowcreek Golf Course on Sunday, not only did they get to enjoy the weather, but they also played for a very important cause.
The inaugural captain’s choice tournament benefits Operation B.R.A.V.O. (Bringing Relief And Video Overseas), which was born five years ago to show appreciate for troops overseas. When Jeremy Sechler, Bill Hamilton’s fellow Crutchfield employee, was deployed, Hamilton had an idea to send soccer balls overseas to entertain the troops and give them a break from rigorous everyday duties of warfare through recreation.
Since then, the program has sent nearly $500,000 worth of items, such as DVD players, home theatre equipment and MP3 players, to American soldiers stationed in the Middle East. The golf tournament was an extension of those efforts designed to raise money for the shipping of the accessories to combat units abroad.
The theme of the tournament was representing one’s favorite football team, as one of the main sponsors was the Charlottesville Buffalo Bills Backers. Tournament Co-chair Patrick Webb, the Bills Backers’ chief organizer, was the foremost director of the event, and he explained why he got involved in the effort.
“I wanted to do something with our group as a platform to do something special,” said Webb, who has two brothers who either have, or are still serving in the military. “I wanted to give something back, so the idea of a golf tournament came up, and we just thought this was a really inspirational movement, so we partnered up with Operation B.R.A.V.O. and got this thing started.
“If we can do something to alleviate their stress, even for five minutes, or two hours to watch a movie, that’s really the inspiration behind it.”
Webb, along with co-chair Jan Corrin from SNL Securities and Hamilton, developed the competition in time for the holidays, which is when the items are delivered. Webb, a native of Long Island, described that he wanted to acknowledge those who are on the front lines. He explained that the U.S. is still a very wealthy country with a lot of resources, and that the group’s efforts reflect the attitude of just about every citizen.
“I think the bottom line is, most Americans really appreciate their freedom, and the idea is to give back to the folks who really secure it for us, and that little bit really means a lot to them,” Webb said.
A foursome of local high school golfers finished in first place with a score of 58 — Charlottesville’s Tanner Perkins and Michael Wilson paired with Monticello’s Evan Childress, and Chris Leibl. Leibl also won the longest drive contest. Corrin, Ed Early, David Passerell and Jaye Urgo finished second with a 59, while Bill Hamilton, his daughter Stacey, club pro Rion Summers, and former Virginia and NFL running back Antonio Rice finished third with a 60.
Crutchfield vendors have donated several thousand dollars worth of inventory items in the past, and Hamilton himself traveled to Arifjan Army Base in Kuwait and personally delivered equipment to troops back in 2003. Corrin organized a “bake-off” through SNL last year, and proceeds from that helped pay for over a thousand DVDs.
“Those things, when you’re young and alone over there in a very hard place, it means so much to know that you’re appreciated,” said Hamilton. “This year, we should be close to $100,000 when all is said and done, and last year it was about $90,000. The commanders that I communicate with said that you wouldn’t believe what this means to the soldiers, and how it lifts the overall morale.”
Corrin added: “[Getting involved] was basically a no-brainer, I mean how could you not help?”
The day started with a word from a trio of veterans — Summers, Early and John Hedges, who addressed those in attendance.
Among the tournament’s sponsors were Crutchfield, SNL, J.W. Sieg, The X Lounge, Meadowcreek, C-ville Properties, WINA, Fairway Enterprises, Old Trail G.C., The Lazy Parrot, and 1-800-GotJunk.
Operation B.R.A.V.O. will continue collecting anything from cameras, DVD’s and DVD players to cash donations to purchase additional equipment until around Thanksgiving. For more information, contact Hamilton at 960-8597, or you can e-mail him at .