9^th Annual Army-Navy Golf Classic

Navy Takes 9th Annual Army-Navy Golf Classic To Make it Seven in a Row!

Press Release by event coordinator Will Wood '66

Atlanta, GA (AP) Demonstrating an amazing ability to defend the fort, members of the Naval Academy Alumni Association of Atlanta (Navy) battled both weather and the Whoops to once again put the West Point Society of Atlanta (Army) to shame in the ninth annual Army-Navy Golf Classic. This was Navy’s seventh straight victory and eighth win out of nine meetings since this annual spring competition was begun in 1997. As before, the golf competition and awards dinner that followed took place at the Golfers Club at Fort McPherson. About $1,700 was raised to provide tuition for needy youngsters in the Atlanta area to attend the SummerScape math, science, and computer camp at Georgia Tech this summer.

Despite a rash of injuries to Navy regulars and a less than spectacular turn-out from Army, we still had a total of about 60 golfers, with some 34 from Navy. Using the modified Stableford scoring system, the final score was Navy at +40 to Army’s -11. With the number of new folks participating this year and our regulars back next year, we hope to have a really tremendous event next year with record attendance as well as record support for our charity.

Despite a shortened event due to rain, everyone enjoyed the golf and the camaraderie as well as a very fine dinner with prizes. Prizes this year included engraved cocktail glasses, many golf shirts, an executive note pad, other golf paraphernalia, a $160 dinner, and more.

Participating in the 2003 Army-Navy Golf Classic were the following: Bill Wright ’50; John Jaudon ’55; Jack Clay ’56; Paul Hurst ’62; Tony Womble ’63; Lorie Moore ’64; Bruce Abel; Stewart Caldwell ’65; Mike Donohoo ’65; Paul Thorsen ’65; Joe Frazar ’65; John Johnson ’65; Jack Johnston ’65; Doug Metzger ’65; Larry Bergen ’66 and guest Bob Masse; Will Wood ’66; Jim Theis ’71; Lee Whitfield ’71; Mitch Rowland ’71; Steve Frederick ’72; Bill Schenzel ’75; Ron Hertwig ’77 and spouse Rhonda; Jeff Johnstone ’80 and guest Richard Batelaan; Andre Swoope ’81; Brad Jones ’83; Wendell Ross ’87; Greg Reppar ’90; Kary Brownlee ’93; and Dan Cahill ’03 and guests. Navy again brought more players to the field of honor than Army (36 for Navy to 22 for Army).

Many Navy folks took home some super raffle prizes. Navy also took all three special prizes with Greg Reppar winning a $30 gift certificate for longest drive while similar prizes for closest to the pin were won by Jeff Johnstone and his guest, Richard Batelaan. In the Stableford competition, and winning increasingly bigger gift certificates, were Mitch Rowland in 5^th place, Brad Jones in 4^th, Jack Clay in 3^rd, and Paul Hurst in 2^nd. Rhonda Hertwig, wife of Ron Hertwig, took first place and won a nice gift certificate as well as the traditional set of engraved cocktail glasses.

Steve Frederick, incoming USNAAAA Chapter president, accepted the traveling trophy on behalf of the winning team and asked all of the Army and Navy competitors to go out and talk about the event and get more classmates and other academy alums to participate in next year’s event such that the 10^th annual version of the classic sets records in every category.

We look forward to the 10^th renewal of the classic in May 2006 and invite all golfing USNAAAA members in the Atlanta area to join us for the competition and camaraderie. It’s always a fun time for all.

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Many thanks to event coordinators Will Wood '66, and Jeff Johnstone '80 for organizing another great competition and terrific day on the golf course.

Below are some digital photos from the event taken by Paul Hurst '62.

Click on a thumbnail image to view a full sized picture.