Edwards Airmen 'putt' service before self at NTO Pro-Am

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. --  Braving the wind, rain and traffic, 10 Edwards Airmen travelled to the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Feb. 15, to carry bags, dry clubs and experience walking the 10th hole of a Professional Golfer Association tournament.

The Northern Trust Open Pro-Am served as the first opportunity for most of the Airmen to caddie for a professional golfer during the Military Caddie Program sponsored by the NTO and Birdies for the Brave, a military outreach effort established by Phil Mickelson and his wife in 2005.

"I'd never caddied for anyone but myself," laughed Lt. Col. Landon Henderson, Global Vigilance Combined Test Force director. "This was awesome and well worth the trip down here."

Meeting at the 10th tee, each Airman was randomly assigned to a professional golfer. Once the pro teed off, each military caddie made the trip across the fairway with golf bag in hand. The pro's regular caddie offered words of advice and did most of the strategic thinking, but some Airmen got the chance to lend a hand.

"They knew the clubs they were going to hit before they even shot, but I did hand them their drivers," said Staff Sgt. Adam Shura, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Quality and Evaluation program manager, who was lucky enough to caddie for two pros. "With [professional golfer] Anthony Kim I was able to hand him his putter, and I knew that [professional golfer] Bo Van Pelt was going to want his wedge so I pulled out his 60 degree wedge for him. I really caddied, just like 'Tin Cup!'"

After most were finished caddying, the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost opened its doors for all military members and their dependents. The Outpost was a dry spot to eat the complimentary lunch provided by Carl's Jr. and watch action on the 10th green from the deck at the rear of the hospitality tent.

When professional golfer Phil Mickelson arrived on the green, Henderson and his family put down their lunches to watch.

"Just to walk around a PGA tour event is always cool, especially with [my] big-eyed kids looking at all of the golfers they see on TV," he said.

Henderson and his family of golfers made a day out the event.

"The best thing was to see an organization that appreciates and recognizes military members," said Jennifer Henderson, Colonel Henderson's wife. "That, as a military spouse, is huge."

Along with sons Cooper and Brooks, ages 7 and 8, watching their dad caddie for pro Kevin Na from the 10th hole, Mrs. Henderson enjoyed the day almost as much as her husband.

"This will be one of those days that we'll remember," she said. "I think that [my sons] recognized what their dad does and his service."

While each military caddie was individually recognized and acknowledged for their service, the Airmen also acknowledged the tournament's generosity.

"Before I attended today I wasn't really big on golf, so actually being able to see it in real life made it more exciting for me," said Senior Airman Jennifer Dell, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, medical technician, who caddied for pro golfer Bryce Molder. "It felt good to be recognized. Being able to put a face with the military and being seen in a positive way felt good.

"It'll definitely be memorable," she said.

The NTO offered complimentary tickets to all military and their dependents for all days of tournament play, which ran from Feb. 13 to Feb. 19, with Feb. 18 designed as Military Appreciation Day. The Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost hospitality tent was open all tournament-long for military and their dependents, offering complimentary food and beverages.

Coming out on top was professional golfer, Bill Haas, making a 45-foot birdie in a playoff between Mickelson and Keegan Bradley on the 10th hole.

The NTO, which began in 1926, is the fourth longest-running PGA Tour event. Although it's been played on several courses throughout the Los Angeles area, in 1973 the tournament found its permanent home at the Riviera Country Club.