Jun 7, 2013 2 min read

William J. Ely has played golf quite a bit over his 101 years, but now he is using his passion to contribute to a good cause. The retired U.S. Army general and his wife, Helen, 99, are sponsoring their second annual Wounded Warrior Country Classic to raise money for injured veterans returning from war.

The tournament will be held today at Dogwood Hills Golf Course in Claysville, which Ely founded.

Ely said the need to support veterans is greater than ever before because the injuries are more severe.

“I was in the Army for 33 years, and I spent three years in World War II, but this war that these people are stuck with in Iraq and Afghanistan is just so terrible,” he said. “The weaponry is so different from what it was in my day, so they’re losing their arms, they’re losing their legs. And they’re all volunteers, of course, so I think we owe them a lot.”

Funds raised from the tournament will be donated to seven veterans’ organizations, including the Walter Reed Society in Bethesda, Md.; Vail Veterans Program in Vail, Colo.; and two Pittsburgh-based nonprofits, Fisher House and Operation Troop Appreciation.

This year, more than 100 donors contributed nearly $30,000, which is more than double the amount raised at last year’s inaugural tournament.

“Our mission is to raise awareness about all those programs that are out there and how they help veterans make their transition and their journey home,” said Jacie Carter, tournament coordinator.

Dick Ely, one of Ely’s sons, said his father’s involvement with the tournament has given him a renewed sense of purpose.

“It’s added so much energy. It has brought him another several years of life because of his engagement in the tournament,” said Dick Ely, 69, of Carmel, Calif. “He’s so actively involved and feels so passionately about veterans and wounded warriors.”

Aside from the opportunity to help other veterans, the tournament also has special