Catholic Central’s Golf Team celebrated Freedom Friday, April 24, 2025, by participating in The Corporal B. 2025, Golf's Most Heroic Boy's High School Invitational, hosted by the American Dunes Golf Club located in Grand Haven, Michigan.

The team played in honor of Sgt. Wilfred E. Racine ‘33 of the United States Army. Wilfred graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1933 and enlisted in the US Army on March 19, 1942. He was awarded a Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action on 20, September 1943, near Salerno, Italy, and later buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial located in Lazio, Italy. 

Sergeant Racine, Company E, 2d Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, under heavy fire, carried a message to his Company Command Post, then led his own squad out to reinforce a hard-pressed front-line squad. 

Advancing ahead of his men through a clearing in the woods, Sergeant Racine was killed by enemy fire, which revealed the hostile positions and enabled his squad to accomplish its mission. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

About The Corporal B. 2025

American Dunes Golf Club is honored to host The Corporal B. Invitational, one of Michigan's most impactful boys’ high school golf tournaments. This event is named in memory of United States Corporal Brock Bucklin, who gave his life in Balad, Iraq on May 31, 2006. Corporal Bucklin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

The legacy of this tournament is deeply tied to the founding of the Folds of Honor Foundation. In June 2006, Lt. Col. Dan Rooney was on a commercial flight to Grand Rapids, Michigan, when the pilot announced that the remains of Corporal Bucklin were on board. Lt. Col. Rooney witnessed Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walk alongside his casket to meet their family, including Corporal Bucklin’s young son, Jacob. That moment became the catalyst for Lt. Col. Rooney to launch Folds of Honor.

Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members—and more recently, to first responders. The Corporal B. Invitational not only showcases outstanding high school golf talent, but also serves a greater purpose: to educate, honor, and support the families of American heroes.

Now in its fourth year, the tournament has contributed over $13,000 to the Folds of Honor Foundation. Each participating team will play in honor of an American hero from their school or community.

Catholic Central is proud of our golf team for representing the Shamrock community and honoring alumni war hero Sgt. Wilfred E. Racine ‘33!