bunkers in baghdad Archives • GolfStinks

POLL: What’s Wrong With Used Clubs?

May 10, 2013 | By Pete Girotto | 6 Comments

It’s no secret our country is not at its peak economical condition. Based on that, we also know the crap rolls down hill and eventually affects or has affected almost everyone. Who has the money to do anything let alone buy a new set of golf clubs? I’ve touched upon used clubs before but I have a new angle! I want to know what happens to all the surplus golf clubs that are not purchased.

Is the material recycled? Are they donated? Hint, hint…our good friends over at Bunkersinbaghdad.com accept donations…just saying. Considering most are not recycled or donated, that means there’s a plethora of golf clubs not available to us, I’m guessing. My question to you is; Would you buy used or older model clubs?

Hit’em Long…yell FORE!!!

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A Memorial Day Tribute From Golfstinks

May 28, 2012 | By Chris Chirico | 1 Comment

Contrary to popular belief, today is not National BBQ Day or National Cookout Day. No, that’s June 23rd this year. Rather, it’s Memorial Day. And although me and the guys here at golfstinks do intend to spend the day on the links before parking ourselves in front of our grills, we have certainly not forgotten why we’re able to do so.

Many times, lost in the three-day weekend is the reason you had the opportunity to hit the links on a Monday morning rather than stare at the walls buried inside your cubicle farm. Too often we don’t stop to take the time to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

But this day is for them. And in celebration of the brave men and women in all branches of the military, we’re going to take a look back at some of the past posts in which we’ve made mention of our brave brothers and sisters. Be it Memorial Day, Veterans Day or just because, we at golfstinks believe that everyday should be a day to remember and give thanks to the people who who help to make our lives what they are.

Back in November of 2009, in a post titled Who Are Your Golf Heroes?, Stinky Golfer Greg introduced us to his Uncle Frank – a veteran of World War II and Greg’s personal golf hero.

In March of 2010, we came across the charity Bunkers In Baghdad. This great organization sends golf equipment to our active duty troops in the desert as well as donates equipment to our troops recovering with the Wounded Warriors Program.

For Memorial Day 2010, Stinky Golfer Pete reflected on a memorable round he played with his buddies father – a veteran of the Vietnam War. While hearing both stories he enjoyed, as well as others he may have wished he hadn’t heard, Pete was also given some words to live by…

We tend to poke a little fun at some of the over-the-top golf gadgets on the market today. But in August of 2010 Stinky Golfer Greg found that Wounded Warrior Golf was using a 3-D swing system to help wounded veterans recover their range of motion. Golf technology is helping our injured veterans recover? We can’t think of a better use.

Fast forward to Veterans Day 2011 when I got to experience first-hand the appreciation our troops and veterans, as well as their families and friends, have for the support shown to them by the people they are fighting for. It feels good to know you’re helping, but it feels better when you can truly understand the appreciation that goes along with it.

This Memorial Day, all we ask is that when you’re about to tee off on the first hole, take a bite of a foot-long dog hot off the grill or even just sleep in for a change…take a few minutes to remember why you’re able to do all of these things. Keep in mind the people who will never be able to experience things like this again. And say a prayer for those who are still away from their families and friends on a day when many of us civilians are gathering with ours. Because if it weren’t for the bravery of a few, life would be different for all.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Veteran’s Day Appreciation

November 11, 2011 | By Chris Chirico | 1 Comment

When I was younger, I didn’t realize the full meaning of Veteran’s Day. Yeah, I knew what it was all about. I knew the reason for it. But, despite having a father who was a veteran of the Vietnam War, I was still in the dark as far as the meaning of Veteran’s Day to actual veterans as well as the active military.

But over time, especially considering the events of the past ten years, I’ve grown to understand more fully the effect of Veteran’s Day. But for me, it was never more understood than when I began to meet some of the veterans face-to-face.

Though my experience was not golf-related, being in the golf-blogging world, I have gotten to learn about several of the charitable organizations related to veterans. Organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project as well as the golf-related Bunkers in Baghdad have given inspiration, help and hope to both wounded veterans as well as the active military still hard at work overseas.

Though I’ve gained some understanding of the meaning of these organizations to the veterans themselves by reading many of the comments from both the organizers and veterans alike, you can’t quite get the full effect unless you hear it directly from the horse’s mouth.

I was fortunate enough to gain this perspective a month ago while assisting my wife at a local fair. Setting up a booth to help raise money for her Wear Red Fridays campaign, I had the opportunity to meet many veterans, as well as their friends and family, who stopped by the booth either to purchase a t-shirt, donate money or just give thanks for the support. It’s from the veterans and active military that you can really understand what the support of others means to them.

So this Veteran’s Day, keep in mind the reason this holiday exists in the first place. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems more like a reason for a car dealership to promote a “sale.” But if you take a minute to speak to one of our brave servicemen or women, you will gain a better understanding of the appreciation they have for the support of the people for whom they are serving.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Bunkers In Baghdad: Golf Helps Troops Cope

March 10, 2010 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

Regardless of your political views surrounding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the one thing most people can agree on is we must support our troops. That message was hammered-home again this past weekend when both the writer and the director of The Hurt Locker (best picture) dedicated their Oscars to the men and women serving in our armed forces.

So it is with great pride that I am able to tell you about the relatively new charity; Bunkers In Baghdad. The charity’s founder, Joe Hanna, was just your typical American guy who read an article in Golf Magazine about how troops hit off make-shift driving ranges in the desert to relieve stress. But unlike many who just read articles such as these and think, “that’s neat” – Joe decided he could do actually something to help.

Thus in 2008 he established Bunkers In Baghdad. The organization collects new and used golf balls, clubs and equipment and ships them to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to use on these desert driving ranges. By the end of that year, he had sent his first shipment – just in time for the holiday season. To date, Joe has shipped over 520,000 golf balls and 10,000 clubs!

In addition, Joe has expanded his outreach to include those service men and women recovering at the Wounded Warriors program at Walter Reed. To this effort, Bunkers In Baghdad has distributed nearly 440,000 golf balls and 15,000 clubs – bringing the total donation to nearly 1 million golf balls and over 25,000 golf clubs!

In 2010, Joe is looking to take the Bunkers In Baghdad program to new heights, and you can help! Cash donations can be made HERE.

Or, you can send Joe a package! That old shag-bag full of balls, or those used clubs in your attic – help them find a new home with our troops:

Mail to:
Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc.
Attn: Joe Hanna
665 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, New York 14203