Champions Tour players give back to 'our heroes'

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Wounded Warrior Lance Corporal Joe Grady hits balls with Ted Schulz on the range during Military Appreciation Day after the third round of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship.

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: Official site

As part of Military Appreciation Day at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, Champions Tour players Hale Irwin, Bobby Clampett and Ted Schulz shared their golf knowledge with a special group of visitors to the tournament on Saturday afternoon.

The trio of professionals spent nearly an hour after their rounds providing swing tips and instruction on the practice range to five members of the wounded warriors. The group included Joe Yantz, Johnnie Gardner, Joe Grady, Ryan Kules and Justin Constantine. Kules serves as Alumni Director for the Wounded Warrior Project and is based in Jacksonville, Fla. All five are veterans of combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Wounded Warrior and former U.S. Army Ranger Justin Constantine is watched by Hale Irwin.

"Receiving golf tips from these excellent golfers was really enjoyable and beneficial," Kules said. "But more than that, the overwhelming amount of support and appreciation for our nation's wounded warriors was evident and beyond appreciated. My thanks to the PGA TOUR and all those who participated in this great event."

The players welcomed the opportunity to work with these veterans who have served our country.

"To tell you the truth, I was honored to be able to work with these guys," said Hale Irwin, the Champions Tour's all-time leader in wins with 45. "What I do pales in comparison to what they've done. They're our heroes and being around them gives me a great deal of satisfaction. Their commitment and the way they go about their jobs is remarkable."

Added Schulz, "It was pretty neat to be able to take part in this event. I was kind of pouting today because the course was beating us up pretty good, but it certainly puts things into perspective. I know what these guys have been through and I appreciate all they do for us. It was a privilege to help them out."

The clinic was just one of the many activities the tournament planned as part of its Military Appreciation Day at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. In addition, the United States Air Force Drill Team performed, there was a joint service color guard and TSgt. Paige Martin performed the National Anthem prior to the Better Than Ezra concert. Earlier in the week, Champions Tour player John Cook worked out in the DePuy Mitek Fitness Trailers on site with two wounded warriors.

Retired Lance Corporal Joe Grady, USMC, who was wounded in Fallujah, Iraq, 2005, may have summed up the day best when he said, "It's an interesting opportunity for me as someone who hasn't had a lot of experience with golf in the past, to hang out with some of the guys who are the best and get some great tips from them. Then to come out and relax for the day with my family and hear some great music like Better than Ezra was just fantastic."