A great bunch of Champions Tour pros turned out to salute our area military personnel by participating in the Military Appreciation Pro-Am at Kelly Plantation.
And not only did the forebidding weather dodge Kelly Plantation (likely headed north on the "Crestview line") but this writer got to tee it up as a last-minute fill-in!
As Champions Tour pro Doug Johnson wrote on the group pic of our team it was a "Great Day."
Doug, acknowledged by his fellow pros as "king of the two-spotters," was REALLY great company. Now living in Ocala, the Wisconsin native was truly enjoying an unusual Monday off.
"I really have to thank Boeing for giving me Monday off with the special exemption into the (Boeing Championship at Sandestin) tournament," he said. "Since I missed making the field last week (Regions Charity Classic) in qualifying at Limestone Springs, I got four days of practice on Raven."
Having made the starting field three times in six Monday tries so far this year, Doug has earned just over $20,400, standing 92nd on the money list.
"I've had my chances (in his six years playing the Champions Tour) but haven't broken through like I know I can," he admits.
A "fairways and greens" type of player, I like his chances for a creditable performance at the Raven this weekend. He can keep it in play and, with some success on the greens, should cash a good check at Sandestin.
He sure is great company to play with. And we had one helluva team with "bombers" Vic Makela and Tom Robbins – a 4 and 2 handicap respectively – and very strong 12-handicapper Brian Belke. – all of them from Hurlburt Field's AFSOC headquarters.
If I wasn't so miserable with a putter in my hands, we would have challenged pro Larry Zeigler's crew, comprised of Pensacola NAS shipmates, as I nailed at least four approach shots in easy birdie range – for anybody but me – and failed to cash them in.
As it was, we did end up in fifth place at 62 behind the Zeigler squad's 59, garnering a dozen Pro V balls apiece!
As usual, Steve Wright and his staff did yet another outstanding job hosting the event.
Special kudos go to Champions Tour pro Andy Bean, who was instrumental in helping round up the group of 14 pros who participated at Kelly Plantation.
"Hey, it's us who should be thanking them (military personnel)," Bean said when I told him he was due some thanks for his efforts.
Several of the pros on hand had already played 18 holes in the morning, scouting out Sandestin Raven, and then hustled over to Kelly Plantation to tee it up in the Military Appreciation Pro-Am. Those I know who were doing "double duty" were Scott Simpson and Mike Sullivan.
The group of pros also included Mark "Beer Man" Johnson, Dave Eichelberger, Frank Shikle, Ed Dougherty, John Harris, Ron Streck, Scott Masengill, Dave Stockton (who'd been out fishing in the morning and had to meet up with his clubs at Kelly Plantation!) and Howard Twitty, who returned to Kelly Plantation after missing gaining a starting berth in the Boeing Championship at Sandestin in a playoff Monday.
Boeing also really deserves a heap of appreciation for sponsoring the event!
