FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The day started out cloudy, with a hint of rain as the Soldiers arrived at the course. After a safety brief and explanations of what is expected, vehicles are staged in a meticulous formation in preparation for the day. One by one, the vehicles move forward and highly-trained Soldiers take to the course... the golf course, that is.
The Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade celebrated the Army's 237th birthday with a golf tournament at The Pines Golf Course at Ft. Eustis, Va., June 14.
More than 100 Soldiers from throughout the 'Resolute' brigade paid their dues, signed up and joined four-Soldier teams to compete. The teams winning first, second and third place would receive discounts at the golfing store at The Pines, free rounds of golf at courses in the Hampton-Roads area and cash prizes. Every golfer received a gift bag which included extra golf balls, gift certificates for local restaurant appetizers, tees and a towel.
Every registered Soldier was also entered into a raffle for additional prizes including high-dollar gift cards to local restaurants, footballs, speakers, brigade coins and brigade apparel. Soldiers who opted to spend a little extra for a "Mulligan Card," which allowed w the purchaser to re-swing at one hole, throw their ball a little further after a short stroke and use a larger tee for one hole, were entered into another raffle. The second raffle would enter them for additional cash and gift card prizes.
"Most of the money collected here will go towards the prizes for the competition and for use of the golf course," said Maj. Thomas Smith, the STB operations officer in charge. "Whatever funds we have left after this is all over will go back to the Special Troops Battalion for their next function for the Soldiers."
Before beginning the competition, a safety brief and explanation of the rules were given. Each team would be playing "Captains Choice," in which every team member hits a ball at the beginning of the hole and the best ball would be the one played for score. If a ball is hit into water, the player would start at the point on land where the ball crossed in with a one stroke penalty.
As an aid to beginner or less experienced players, a maximum of "Triple Bogey" was set for each hole. If a team uses three strokes more than par for a particular hole, that is their score and they can move on. Finally, any tie score would be decided by the score on the courses most difficult hole.
"I am really excited to start the tournament today, even though I haven't picked up my golf clubs in almost two years," said Capt.
Nathan Hadlock, a 7th Sus. Bde. support operations officer. "After coming home from Afghanistan three months ago, this is the first time a lot of us have had the chance to come together and have some fun like this. This is going to be a great way to celebrate the Army birthday and build esprit de corps."
Each team gave their all on every hole of the course, but in the end only one team took first place. The winning team consisted of: Capt. Timothy Fitzgerald, 1st Lts. Ryan Clark and Brandon Lucas, and Master Sgt. Ryan Hayes.
"Everyone played hard today and had a good time," said Smith. "The purpose of today was to come out here and have some fun while celebrating the 237th Army birthday."