LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Eaglewood Golf Course continues to provide affordable leisure to the community by developing six new programs offered to military members and their families that range from low-cost to no-cost at all, whether it's unit physical training or a family outing.
From beginners to experts, these new programs are geared to bring people to together and build camaraderie, and include Physical Training Golf, Tee It Forward, Family Tee, Get Golf Ready, various golf tournaments and two full-size practice greens.
Operated by the 633rd Force Support Squadron, Eaglewood's three completely-free services are the PT Golf, the Tee It Forward and use of two full-size practice greens.
Joint Base Langley-Eustis units can revamp their weekly PT by using the PT Golf program. The program originated at Fort Eustis, Va., and with its success among U.S. Army Soldiers, Andy Weissinger, JBLE Golf Course general manager, brought it to Eaglewood.
Participants complete nine holes within 20 to 30 minutes, running an average of two miles while learning how to play golf. All rental equipment and use of the course is free with a scheduled session.
Squadrons can have their PT session at the golf course, where they'll break up into teams of five to 10 players and play nine holes of a unique version of speed golf. The first player hits the ball to the hole and the rest of the team will run to its location; then it is player two's turn.
"I watched how the Soldiers who participated in the PT Golf program liked it," said Weissinger. "One day I'd see them at the PT golf with no knowledge of the game, but a few weeks later I'd see them out on the green practicing just because they enjoyed it."
Tee It Forward is an additional free program for golfers who want to play a better game. With assistance from certified professional golfers, customers can learn to putt for birdies and pars more often, hit more lofted irons into green, play faster and score better.
Family Tee on the golf course is a low-cost program which allows children to play free. It offers families the opportunity to spend time together on the green, complete with child-friendly distances. Family members with different experience levels will be able to play a par 4 together.
Weissinger said these programs have added value because of the quality time customers spend with friends and family. Families can play and learn the sport together while enjoying each other's company.
According to Weissinger, the same family could also go to a movie at an off-base theater. The average cost for a family of four with two children, under the age of 12, is $25. Add drinks and snacks, and the price could quickly rise to $40, he said.
"Families go to the movies for two hours, sit in a dark room, have no physical movement and zero communication with one another," said Weissinger. "But bring your family to the golf course and in the same two hours you can learn and enjoy a sport together, perform physical fitness, and have open communication during the entire duration of your game."
Get Golf Ready is an additional low-cost program for beginners. It features five sessions with rental equipment in a group setting where participants learn the basics of golf.
Golfers can also participate in club tournaments, giving participants the tournament experience without the large fees normally associated with it. The next two tournaments offered at Eaglewood are scheduled for October and November of this year.
Additionally, the golf course will host a Customer Appreciation Party Oct. 26 to welcome new customers and thank current customers.
For more information about Eaglewood Golf Course and its programs, contact Andy Weissinger, Justin Ford or Archie Dejacimo at 764-4547.