Military Appreciation gets Airmen up close and personal to PGA Tour

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Meredith Mingledorff
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The PGA Tour treated members of the 944th Fighter Wing to special Military Appreciation Days this weekend when the Champions Tour opened the Charles Schwab Cup Championship free of charge to military spectators and their families at the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., Nov. 3-4.

At least 17 Airmen from Luke Air Force Base attended the event in their official capacities providing an Honor Guard, singer, guest speaker, and impressive F-16 flyover, for a crowd of more than 12,000. Hundreds of off-duty military members attended the event sharing the past time of golf with friends and family.

"The PGA Tour appreciates our U.S. military personnel and feel it is important to show our support for this heroic group," said Ian Knight, Executive Director, Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Knight opened Military Appreciation Day, Nov. 3 with kind words about the military as a whole and specifically thanked the U.S. Air Force for their attendance at the event.
Senior Airman Melinda Charlton, Services Specialist, 944th Force Support Squadron, sang the national anthem for the crowd as members of the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the colors.
"It was such an honor," said Charlton, who was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the opening ceremony. She was also impressed with the timing of the flyover provided by the 69th Fighter Squadron stationed at Luke, who flew a two-ship formation over the 9th green.

"Their timing was perfect!" exclaimed the young singer.

"Perhaps we should have the U.S. Air Force run our golf tournaments," joked Knight at the event. "Have you ever seen better timing?!"

The crowd agreed with cheers of joy and support, many remarking at how happy they were with the opportunity to see their Air Force in action.

"We never get to see that," remarked an on looker. "Wow!"

Col. Jose Monteagudo, commander, 944th Fighter Wing thanked the crowd for their support and the PGA Tour for their invitation to the tournament.

"The generosity of the PGA Tour, Charles Schwab, and Desert Mountain have shown to our uniformed members and their families with this Military Appreciation Day is overwhelming," said Monteagudo.

"We thank you for this amazing opportunity," remarked the colonel. "I encourage those of you in attendance today to speak with our men and women in uniform and find out what makes them so special. Serving can be hard to do, but it is support like this that reminds us what we are fighting for and makes it that much easier to fight the hard fight."

As an extra special treat, four military members were given the opportunity to announce PGA Tour professionals as they approached the 18th hole. This put the Airmen up-close to their favorite golf pros and right in the middle of the action.

"This is great!" said Staff Sgt. Teresa Killeen, Contracting Specialist, 944th Mission Support Group.

Killeen is a novice golfer who watches professional golf regularly and has her favorites among the pros.

"I've been golfing for about a year now and I think Couples is great!" said Killeen, who strategically worked it out with fellow hole announcers to be the last one to pull the flag on the 18th hole Sunday ensuring she could shake her golf idol's hand before leaving the course.
The plan worked, and Killeen was able to leave the event with a photo of herself and Fred Couples at the close of play. He was one of several players who approached those in uniform with a handshake and said "Thank you for your service."

"What an amazing day for our military personnel and the 944th Fighter Wing," said Monteagudo. "I just wish we could have stayed longer."

Golf fans can follow their favorite professionals on the PGA Tour website at www.PGATOUR.com.

Military members can keep an eye out for future opportunities with the PGA Tour on the organization's military outreach site, Birdies for the Brave at www.birdiesforthebrave.com.