The Viral Email - Ping Clubs - Wounded Warriors Email

I received one of the mass forwarded emails from one of my friends. Usually I delete those messages because the email thread is too long. But this title caught my attention - "Ping Clubs - A Must Read"

The email was touching (it can be read below). In full disclosure, I play Ping irons, been on a private factory tour, and most of my golf gear displays their logo.

After reading the email, I sent an email to Pete Samuels, Director of Communications at Ping, to confirm the story.

********** Pete's Response **********


Brian;

I can confirm this story as true. It's been "viral" since early December.

We support "Wounded Warriors" through an organization called Disabled Sports America. They administer a rehab program that includes using golf. When the soldier completes the golf program, we present them a full set of clubs and a bag.

Thanks For Your Email.

Pete Samuels
Director of Communications


********** The Email I Received **********

I think this is something that all golfers should be aware of.

I think all Americans should be aware of this also. This isn't a joke or cartoon; just something interesting to know...you may want to forward this on to others.

On Monday, I played the Disney, Lake Buena Vista course. As usual the starters matched me with three other players. After a few holes we began to get to know each other a bit. One fellow was rather young and had his wife riding along in the golf cart with him. I noticed that his golf bag had his name on it and after closer inspection, it also said "wounded war veterans". When I had my first chance to chat with him I asked him about the bag. His response was simply that it was a gift. I then asked if he was wounded and he said yes. When I asked more about his injury, his response was "I'd rather not talk about it, sir".

Over a few holes I learned that he had spent the last 15 months in an army rehabilitation hospital in San Antonio Texas. His wife moved there to be with him and he was released from the hospital in September. He was a rather quiet fellow; however, he did say that he wanted to get good at golf. We had a nice round and as we became a bit more familiar.

I asked him about the a brand new set of Ping woods and irons he was playing. Some looked like they had never been hit. His response was simple. He said that this round was the first full round he had played with these clubs.

Later in the round he told me the following. As part of the discharge process from the rehabilitation hospital, Ping comes in and provides three days of golf instruction, followed by club fitting. Upon discharge from the hospital, Ping gives each of the discharged veterans, generally about 40 soldiers, a brand new set of custom fitted clubs along with the impressive golf bags.

The fellow I met was named Ben Woods and he looked me in the eye and said that being fitted for those clubs was one of the best things that ever happened to him and he was determined to learn to play golf well enough to deserve the gift Ping had given him. Ben is now out of the service, medically discharged just a month ago. He is as fine a young man as you would ever want to meet.

Ping has the good judgment not to advertise this program. God Bless America and the game of golf.


********* End Of Email ***********

Comments from Brian Weis: I am still speechless. Thank you Ping for the great works you do. I applaud and salute your organization for doing this program!