Email   Print   Share By Staff Sgt. Michael Dator, 3rd Cav. Regt. Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious May 24, 2012 | Sports

Specialist Andrew Upshaw, 3rd Cav. Regt., putts his ball into the hole during the Phantom Warrior Week golf scramble held May 22 at the Courses of Clear Creek. Upshaw’s team went on to place second overall in the tournament. Staff Sgt. Michael Dator, 3rd Cav. Regt. Public Affairs

More than 68 Soldiers and 25 Vietnam veterans participated in

a golf scramble May 22 at the Courses of Clear Creek golf course as part of Phantom Warrior Week. Competitive teams from units around post competed, for a chance to win the III Corps first-placetrophy as well as Commander’s Cup points for the first-second-and third-place finishers. Vietnam veterans in attendance were recognized for the sacrifices they made decades ago, and were given the opportunity for a little “tee-time” on the green.

“Today’s Soldiers really look up to veterans and admire them,” said Sgt. Maj. William R. Burford, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the scramble. “The vets have a lot of wisdom to offer us – they bring to the table valuable knowledge that those currently serving can learn from,” he said.

A golf scramble is played with 4-man teams. Each player on the team tees at each hole and the best shot from each hole is selected and scored. At the end of the hole, the process is repeated and scores are tallied using the highest total from the teams.

A brief explaining the rules of the competition was given before the start of the tournament. Players commenced to play 18 holes of golf throughout the day.

“Playing in events like this does more than provide a little bit

of fun,” said 1st Sgt. Chris Bowman, first sergeant of Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. “Competitions such as those in Phantom Warrior Week, foster camaraderie within the team as well as improves relations in the workplace,” he said.

As the day progressed, veterans and Soldiers mingled on the

golf course and shared past experiences with each other.

“I appreciate seeing all the young Soldiers out there in support of what we had to go through,” said retired Maj. Steven W. Thompson, a former psychological operations officer during the war in Vietnam. “Even though we’re separated by a number of years, we share a common bond – we’re all comrades in arms, we’re Soldiers,” he said.

An awards ceremony was held at the conclusion of the event.

Brig. Gen. Dean Milner, the deputy commanding general of III Corps, presented trophies to the top three teams.

The team representing 13 Expeditionary Sustainment Command took first place.

The team representing 3rd Cavalry Regiment took second place.

The team representing 1st Medical Brigade took third place.

“You can’t beat a chance to go out and play a little bit of golf,” said Milner. “Even more so when you get a great group of Soldiers and veterans together on a beautiful day,” he said.