More than 20 teams competed in the monthly 18-hole Commanding General's Golf Scramble Jan. 28 on the Marshall and Bradley courses at the Fort Benning Golf Course.
The top two teams in each flight received pro shop gift certificates while third-place teams were awarded golf balls. And there were four closest-to-the-pin winners.
"The course is challenging and the greens are fast, but it's fun," said MAJ Vasilios Lazos of team MEDDAC.
The first flight was won by the Green Island Country Club Team, consisting of COL(R) Ron West, Bill Hamilton, Merritt Clements and W.J. Barrs, with a 15-under-par 57, beating their competition by one stroke.
"Our play was generally pretty good," West said. "We were very lucky to make a couple of long putts and barely sweep by."
West, who spent the last seven years of his military career at Fort Benning, has played in the scramble since it was first established in 1988.
"The (scramble) is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with civilians, retirees and young Soldiers," he said. "(The scramble) is a great idea. Over the years, the commanding generals have sponsored this tournament and let the young Soldiers get out, take a day off from training and duties to enjoy the sunshine and camaraderie."
The competition is always tough, said MAJ Bill Nelson of team High Angle Hell, 2nd
Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, who took first place in the second flight with a 15-under-par 57. His teammates were SFC Mike Novak, SSG Jose Reynoso and SFC George Pollen.
"In a scramble like this, you pretty much have to birdie every hole to even have a chance at winning," Nelson said. "We played pretty well in the beginning and Sergeant Novak got a rhythm going and took over on the back nine."
The turnout, which yielded more than 90 players, was good for this time of year, said George Cliff, business manager and director of golf at the course. Cliff said he expects more players as the spring months approach.
The next Commanding General Golf Scramble is Feb. 25 with a shotgun start at noon. The cost is $30 if paid in advance and $35 on the day of the event. The cost includes a cart, greens fee, two mulligans, food and prizes. For more information or to register, stop by the Fort Benning Golf Course or call 706-687-1940.
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