Golfers compete in ‘signature’ Ryder tournament

By Tina Ray
Paraglide

	Photos by Tina Ray/Paraglide Bryan Putnam, 29, prepares to putt at the annual Ryder Invitational Golf Tournament, held Aug. 28, at the Ryder Golf Course on Normandy Drive. Putnam, who has been playing golf for nearly 10 years, took part in his first tournament at Ryder and plans to enter future competitions. Officials said 40 golfers took part in the tournament.

More than 40 golfers chased the Ryder Invitational Golf Tournament championship Aug. 28 and 29 and a chance to see their name engraved on the trophy of winners, which sits on display in the clubhouse on Normandy Drive.

The tournament that first began in 2000 is the signature event of the year, said Robert Taylor, head golf professional at Ryder Golf Course. It covers 36 holes over two days.

One of the golfers was Bryan Putnam, 29, who played his first tournament there. He normally shoots a 90 and has been golfing on and off for 10 years, he said.

“I like it. It gives me a chance to compete in a tournament with people that are not way above my level,” said Putnam, after parring the first hole.

Another golfer, Aaron Picking, said he enjoys golf as often as he can. At holes one and two, he scored a 7, Picking said. The tournament is a good event for Soldiers to participate in, Picking said.

“I love it. It gives me a chance to come out here and challenge myself, as opposed to playing for fun,” he said. “A lot of Soldiers are type-A personalities, so they get to come out here and show it,” said Picking, who is assigned to the 4th Military Information Support Group.

Jason England agreed.

A staff sergeant with the 508th Special Troops Battalion, England said he wished more Soldiers had taken part in the golf tournaments.

“It’s good for the Soldiers. There should have been a bigger turnout,” England said. “It keeps up the morale.”

After two holes, England, who routinely averages a score of 92, was at 12. At the end of the two-day tournament, he had scores of 101 and 106.

Most of the participants in the golf tournament were retirees, said Taylor. Participation for active-duty Soldiers was around 25 to 35 percent. The Ryder Invitational Golf Tournament was open to all active-duty, retired military and Department of Defense employees and to their dependents at least 16 years of age.

Each player was required to have a validated United States Golf Association index. Trophies and gift certificates were awarded to first, second and third place winners in each flight, said Taylor.
Lance Jordan won a sudden death playoff to earn the title of overall champion for the 2010 Ryder Invitational Golf Tournament. To have his name engraved in the championship trophy, Jordan had rounds of 68 and 74 to finish at 2 under par 142 to win the two-day, individual low gross golf tournament.

The first place championship flight winner was Francis McCahill with scores of 73 and 69; first place, first flight was Mike Martin at 80 and 73; first place, second flight was Charles Pelham at 87 and 84; and first place, third flight was Solomon Winds with scores of 90 and 87, Taylor added.

For any qualified golfer who wishes to participate, another opportunity will avail itself in October to take a swing at Fort Bragg golfing history. The 2010 Club Championship will be held Oct. 9 and 10, at Ryder Golf Course. For more information about it or other on-post golfing events, contact Taylor at 907-4653 or visit www.fortbraggmwr.com.

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