Sango silvers in third armed forces appearance

By U.S. ArmyOctober 21, 2013

Sango silvers in third armed forces appearance
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Every year that Master Sgt. Sheila Sango of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command has qualified to play golf at the All Army level she's done better than the year before.

This was Sango's third year of actually making the All Army team which went on to compete in the 2013 Armed Forces Men's and Women's Golf Championship, held Sept. 12-19 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

The All Army women won second place silver after winning third place last year. Navy women came in first with the Air Force in third and the Marine Corps, fourth.

On the men's side, Air Force came in first with the Marine Corp second, the Army third and the Navy fourth.

"Every year I get better and better," Sango said, adding that the first and second place teams are the only ones that "medal."

She said she was happier with her performance during this year's outing than during her previous trips to the All Army level and she credited Ruggles PGA Pro Jeff Litteral with helping improve her technique and knowledge of the game.

"He was one of the most contributing factors of me doing well," she said. "He worked with me continually and shared every bit of knowledge he could to help me out."

She said it was not unusual for her to be on the Ruggles Golf Course driving range before sun up and that the grounds crews would just work around her.

"Everyone at Ruggles has been wonderful," she said. "I could feel my game improving over time."

The ATEC command, Sango said, could not be more supportive.

"I couldn't ask for a better group of Soldiers and civilians to work with," she said. "Even while I was gone they were sending supportive e-mails to check on my progress."

While each year of competing with the military's top players has been special, Sango said that this competition was the most memorable as it is likely her last one.

"I will miss them," she said of her teammates Col. Shauna Snyder of Fort Belvoir, Va., and Maj. Sunny Mitchell of Nashville, Tn.

"Even though we're competing you want them to do well because combined totals count. So we've gotten to know each other and we cheer each other on and even offer advice to help each other's game. Just the thought of not seeing them again made this year much more special. I just feel like golf is a blessing. God gives everyone gifts and you shouldn't waste those gifts."

As much as she loves the sport, Sango scoffs at the thought of "going pro."

"I could never do that. Then it would be a job and I want it to remain fun," she said. "But I would love to teach children the game of golf. Golf teaches you that it's okay not to be perfect. It's okay to be second or third if you know you tried hard. And that's a part of growing up."

Sango is considering retirement but for now the ATEC Retention NCO is undecided about hanging up her boots.

"I still love the Army and I love helping Soldiers so I don't think I'm done yet," she said. "I know there's something else out there for me but for now, helping that one Soldier is all that matters to me."