FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- It's not often amateur golfers get to mix with professionals, but that was just the case at Silver Wings Golf Course during one of the course's most unique tournaments.

The course held its 2017 SWGC Pro-Am golf tournament Sept. 16-17, where Lady Professional Golf Association professionals from all over came to share Fort Rucker's fairways and greens with local amateurs in a tournament that proved unforgettable for some.

The tournament was a 36-hole event with teams of four comprised of one professional player and three amateurs playing Team Stableford, which is a point system where 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.

For Derek Holder, civilian participant, the game was less about the competition and more about the experience.

"I've just had a wonderful time playing with these ladies," he said. "They're not letting up in their game at all, which I appreciate, and they're really showing us what real golfing is.

"It's a great experience to be able to play a round of golf with some true professionals," he continued. "The amount of work and effort these ladies put into their game is really inspiring and I have the utmost respect for their dedication. And on top of that, for them to come out and spend their time to play some golf with amateurs, such as myself, really speaks to their character."

Rodney Lacewell, fellow participant, echoed Holder's sentiments and said he's enjoyed the time playing the LPGA professionals.

"We started yesterday and it's been great," he said. "[The pros] all have great attitudes and they're fun to be around, and to see good play that I can't equal has made it a really a great day."

Although many of the amateur golfers were having the time of their lives, the professionals were enjoying themselves just as much with the experience they were getting to enjoy with civilians and Army veterans.

For Melissa Siviter, LPGA professional, this year's tournament was her second visit to the installation, and getting the opportunity to play with local golfers was one of the highlights of the tournament.

"This is the second time I've done this event and I really enjoy it," she said. "I felt the tournament was great last year. It was very well hosted and they looked after us girls great.

"It was fun to play with these guys who have been in the Army and served their country," she added. "So it's been a great experience for us and a different format."

Following the tournament, the professionals had the opportunity to tour the simulators around the installation to get a taste of the training that Army Aviators experience, which Siviter said she was looking forward to, adding that she was going to try and take in as much Aviation knowledge as possible with a visit the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, as well.

"I'm glad that I took part in this competition, even though I'm not really in it to win it this time," said Holder. "I feel like with this experience, you can't lose either way."