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Patriots play for honors in rain

  • Published
  • By Capt. Antonia Greene
  • 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 174th Infantry Brigade Soldiers joined their Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst mission partners, as they picked up their clubs and battled it out on the rain-sodden Fountain Green Golf Course here Sept. 23.

The 2nd Annual Patriot Cup Golf Tournament to support the unit's family readiness groups kicked off with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Although the rain never let up, it didn't deter nearly 50 players from teaming up and competing for the titles of best team, longest drive and "closest to the pin."

The teams played between nine and 12 of the 18 scheduled holes, before the Fountain Green management sounded the horn, calling the teams in and ending the day's outing. If it wasn't for the potential harm to the course, the golfers would have played on through the downpour.

"You all braved the rain and showed true espirit de corps out there today," remarked U.S. Army Col. Craig A. Osborne, 174th IN. Bde. commander. "We appreciate everyone coming out and supporting the unit's family readiness groups."

Osborne, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Zanders, 174th IN. Bde., congratulated the winners and awarded prizes. The threesome who beat out all the other foursomes for best team went to Master Sgt. Paul Flemming, from Mount Holly, N.J. and Ed Lewis and Keith Johnson both of Willingboro, N.J.

First Sgt. Kevin Zak, 2nd Battalion, 309th Regiment, earned a new driver for the longest drive at 296 feet on hole 11. Sgt. 1st Class John Williamson, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment was awarded a new putter for closest to the pin at 10 feet. The brigade presented the Fountain Green Golf Course manager, Bob Campbell, with a plaque of appreciation following the unit awards. The teams then took part in a lunch buffet on the patio before calling it a day.

The Patriot Golf Tournament earnings contributed to each battalion and headquarters company of the 174th IN. Bde. Each family readiness group was awarded equal funds to help offset the cost of scheduled holiday activities.

"This year's goal was to beat last year's stats," announced Misty Juckett, 174th IN. Bde. Family Readiness Support assistant. "With fewer players this year than last year, we still exceeded last year's donations by $246. Way to go, 174th!"

"If it ain't raining - it ain't training," remarked a Fountain Green Golf Course employee. "The Army's an outdoor sport."

Contact Bob Campbell of Fountain Green Golf Course at 562-5443 for more information on organizing a similar event.