Photos by Tina Ray/Paraglide William Daniel Jr., center, lines up a putt on the hole, Wednesday, at Stryker Golf Course, as buddies, James Holland, left, and Randy Goodbee look on. The men usually meet at Stryker three days a week to play a game that they all say they enjoy.

On a rainy Wednesday morning at Stryker Golf Course, three retirees enjoy a few rounds of golf. It is a routine that two, of the three players have enjoyed for a decade.

Instead of just seeing each other in passing, James Holland and William Daniel, Jr., both Army retirees, began to meet at the golf course each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Randy Goodbee, a civilian retiree, also began playing alongside Holland and Daniel five years ago. Absent from the usual group were fellow golfers, Mike Sommerville and Willie Rembrandt.

“It’s relaxing and a good pastime. It’s a good fellowship,” said Holland who first picked up the game in the 80s. “The course is set up for any age and the management of Stryker is people-friendly.”

The men choose golf partners and play until noon, but Wednesday’s rain shortened their time, Daniel said.

Goodbee said, golfing should make sense to any Soldier or retiree who values physical fitness.
“I usually walk the course. You want to get out the house and do something. Eighteen holes is a good four to five miles when you’re walking,” said Goodbee, who added that his brother, Archie introduced him to the game in the late 80s.

Daniel has been playing golf a bit longer — 49 years to be exact. A high school baseball coach taught him some of the basics in 1962, and Daniel has been playing ever since.

“I’ll continue to play,” he said. “I thank the Lord that I’m able to play.”

To the men, their weekly friendly competition offers the chance for bragging rights to the winning partnership team, but each man keeps their own scores.

“Well, I usually win,” Holland said, garnering a hearty laugh from both Daniel and Goodbee. But Holland readily admitted,” it normally winds up being about even.”

Friendships that began on the golf course at Stryker is really what has wound up being about even.

Why do the men brave the four seasons to play?

“It’s real nice,” Holland said.

Share