Olympic Hills Hosts Third Annual Tee it Up for the Troops Event

It’s common for family and friends to want to help out their loved ones who are fighting for our country abroad. However, in 2005, a family received a different request from their son who was serving in Iraq. He asked for them to provide support to those who are returning home instead of sending a gift to him. After hearing this selfless request, Tee it Up for the Troops non-profit organization was established. 

For many Armed Forces members, the pain doesn’t end once they fly back home. Many soldiers face a variety of challenges when they arrive back in the U.S., days, months, or years after. These obstacles range from having post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries to not being able to find suitable employment or housing, and the list goes on. Tee it Up for the Troops mission is to offer support to soldiers in all critical areas of need and help them get back on course. 

On Monday, June 12th, Tee it Up for the Troops held their third annual event at Olympic Hills to honor, remember, respect, and support all those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces for our nation. 

“As we well know, military families face a variety of challenges,” said Tom Groom, National Board Member for Tee it Up for the Troops. “We’d like to thank everyone who joined for ‘stepping up to the tee’ and honoring their service and sacrifice and for supporting these brave men and women.”

At the third annual golf event, there were 23 Veteran Guests of Honor recognized, one of them being the General Manager of Jaguar Land Rover, Ted Terp. Terp was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. After six months, he was deployed to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry, where he became a part of a Recon Ranger Platoon – Luther’s Animals.  Terp served for 11 months before he was sent home with what Terp called a “million-dollar wound” on his leg. During his time in Vietnam, he received two Purple Hearts and a Combat Infantry Badge. 

Although this is the third time Luther has hosted Tee it Up for the Troops, this is Terp’s first time playing the course for the organization. Joining Terp and representing Luther Automotive in two foursomes were Joe Portillo and his daughter Christine, former Luther employee Taylor Rolling, Brad Johnson, Brett Farrell, Blake Sorem, and George Vojta.

Each foursome that played had a former service member join them. This gave them the opportunity to tell their story and experience while enjoying a day of golf. Overall, both Luther teams finished in the Top 5.

“We are honored by your outpouring of love and generosity to assist all those who serve(d)! To date the Olympic Hills’ Tee It Up for the Troops events have raised over $400,000! You are making a profound difference in our ability to reunite and support as many combat veterans as possible through the Tee it Up for the Troops Reunion Programs,” said Groom.