MCAS Beaufort -- Two lucky Tri-Command Marines got the opportunity to experience the game of golf at its finest when they played with the professional golfers of the PGA Tour during this year’s RBC Heritage Pro-Am tournament at the Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head April 15.
Cpl. Travis Williams, combat videographer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Beaufort, and Cpl. Glen Miller, fiscal services comptroller aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, stepped out of their offices, put on their golf cleats and hit the green against more than 100 other golf players to represent not only Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island, but the Marine Corps as well.
“I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to represent the Marine Corps during this year’s competition and to play my favorite sport with the pros,” said Williams, who began golfing when he was 12 years old.
“The first time I played golf I used a broomstick, a block of wood and a small basketball,” he continued. “My next door neighbors were into golf.”
“Golfing is something I have done for most of my life,” said Miller, a native of Augusta, Ga. “I started playing when I was 10 years old and it has been a passion ever since.”
The opportunity to play in the RBC Heritage was afforded to Williams and Miller by Boeing and the Heritage Classic Foundation in an effort to show their appreciation for the military.
“Playing in this tournament was a great learning experience,” said Williams a native of Blackfoot, Idaho. “The course was beautiful and I felt like I was a pro.”
The tournament was played in a best ball format. Each team consisted of four amateurs and one PGA professional. The best score for each hole was used to determine the team’s final score.
William’s team finished with a score of 59, which is 12 under par. Miller’s team finished with a score of 61, 10 under par.
The experience of playing in the Pro-Am was a far cry from just hitting a round with his buddies, Williams explained.
“While playing golf you are competing against the other players but more importantly yourself and things you don’t have control over,” he said.
The sport of golf is much more difficult than people think, said Miller. “While playing we got to learn what it’s like to be a PGA professional, many do not realize how much work goes into golf.”
Playing in the tournament was a learning experience for both Marines.
“The PGA professionals were very helpful and offered a lot of tips and tricks,” said Miller. “By the end of the day I was confident that I had finished as a better golfer than when I began.”
“Playing in the RBC Heritage is something I’ll always remember,” echoed both Marines.
