Pros, amateurs share same green

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterAugust 21, 2015

Pros, amateurs share same green
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 21, 2015) -- The Silver Wings Golf Course held one of its most unique tournament experiences where professionals and amateurs came together for a weekend of friendly competition.

The 2015 SWGC Pro-Am golf tournament was held at Silver Wings Golf Course Aug. 14-16 where Lady Professional Golf Association professionals from all over came to have fun before taking on the National Women's Golf Association Women's Professional Tournament, which was held Aug. 18-20.

The pro-am tournament was a 36-hole event with teams comprised of one professional player and three amateurs playing Team Stableford, which is a point system in which teams lump their scores together to add their points to a pot depending on how well they shoot. Unlike traditional scoring in golf, the objective in Team Stableford is to have the highest score, rather than the lowest.

Although many professionals weren't accustomed to the Team Stableford scoring system, the objective for them wasn't about winning, but more about having a good time and meeting new people.

"I thought this was a really cool opportunity for me," said Tessa Teachman, LPGA professional of three years. "This is the first time I've done a pro-am in conjunction with the NWGA series, and I thought it was a really cool idea to come up here, get to meet some new people and see the course a few times before the tournament."

For Teachmen, who has never visited a military installation, the highlight was getting to play with new people and getting a glimpse into their lives -- an experience she won't soon forget.

"I've met some really cool, wonderful people so far," she said. "It's been a great experience. I played with two different groups, so my score is counting for two groups, and these groups have been a lot of fun. They've got a great attitude and they're a bunch of fun -- there have been a lot of laughs."

The unforgettable experience wasn't only for the professionals, however, as the amateurs were able to pick up invaluable tips to help their golf game.

John Davis, civilian participant, said he'd never had the chance to meet a professional golfer, let alone play with one, so when he saw the opportunity to do so, he jumped at it.

"I just thought this would be a really neat opportunity to get the chance to go up against some pros and see where I stand in my game," he said. "I'm not the best golfer, but I like to think that I'm OK, but when you're playing with a professional, it really shows how much room for improvement there is."

Davis, who's been golfing on and off for close to 10 years, said he admires the professionals for their dedication to the game.

"I enjoy the game a lot, but it really is a tough game to master, and these ladies have really got their disciplines down to be able to shoot the way they do," he said. "I really admire them and I'm thankful that they were able to take the time out and play some golf with us."

For Kelsey Hanie, LPGA professional, spending time with the amateurs to help with their game and just enjoy the game was what the tournament is really about.

"Pro-ams are a lot of fun. You get to come out and meet new people and play in a different environment," she said. "It's just fun for us. We're always out there in a very competitive mode, but this way we get to relax a little and we get to play the golf course, meet new people, interact and have a good time just enjoying the game.

"It's been a really fun experience, and although the rounds of golf are a little slower, we've all been having a really good time," she continued. "It's great that we get to be here at Fort Rucker and give our support and be in this environment. It's been an awesome time and a lot of fun. It's a hard golf course, so it's a good challenge for us so we've all just been having a really good time."

"This tournament is something that comes along only once a year, and it's a good, fun opportunity to play a little different format and learn from someone who knows a lot about the game," said Chet Hallman, SWGC business manager. "The professionals are very cordial and more than willing to help with tips and encourage the amateurs on how they can get better. It's just a great time."

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Silver Wings Golf Course

Fort Rucker, Ala.

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