The Veteran Golfers Association is dedicated to enriching the lives of Veterans and their family members through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf. To accomplish this mission, the VGA hosts more than 1,500 tournaments annually for our 26,000+ members, culminating in a VGA national championship.
In addition, the VGA hosts the Armed Forces Cup each Memorial Day Weekend, where each branch consisting of 10 players competes against the other branches.
You can join here: www.vgagolf.org
September 2009 I was wounded during a convoy Patrol south of Baghdad it wasn’t 15 minutes after we left we encountered a very large roadside explosion that resulted in severe injuries to the civilian population we were making recoveries setting up security when a secondary explosion went off and the result of that was me getting a lower leg injury traumatic brain injury and crack in my skull behind my left ear it which had me metac to La School Germany where I spent 31 days in care you get to see what you’re really made out of when you go to war my last deployment was in 2012 and I step on an IED blows both my legs off come out of the coma eight later only to find out that the very thing that I feared was actually what was happening listen let me tell you this this this right here it’s a symbol it’s a reminder that I did not have to quit when things got tough I think everyone has a low point you know um in in their life I had to get over for the fact that you know I’m not you know 100% whole right I’m a you know I’m an amput but you know what I can’t let you know I can’t let that stop me during the uh rehab there was an organization and they grab up soldiers and take him out to a small driving range off the base I always thought golf was like was a sport for old ties and you know that was not me I was an infantryman however it was an opportunity to actually get out of the hospital it was a little emotional and I was not a golfer that’s when I said you know there’s something about this [Music] game one of the things that’s very difficult I think for people who leave the military is that you’ve been part of this organization that has just you know been every bit of what you live breathe and when it stops while it is restful it also can be very stressful the biggest obstacle is camaraderie and being part of that team you are part of a thousand or a 100 and all of a sudden now you’re on your own we’ve seen some folks that have to deal with post-traumatic stress syndrome we see folks dealing with suicide there are a lot of people out there who believe that the challenges that they’re going through are unique to them more often than not it’s something that everybody goes through you just don’t realize it what the VGA does and in golf is is it offers an opportunity for you to be around people that have shared the same experiences that you have you get to be out there with your brothers and sisters in arms and really uh create a family atmosphere uh for you to enjoy yourself we’re not real good about uh sharing our feelings but when we’re around these guys uh we’ll dig them out of you the feeling we all get of being with each other is bigger than ourselves and I think that’s why these organizations are so critical to go from 300 people in 2015 to over 20,000 now it’s helping get that sense of teamwork that sense of camaraderie back that’s why they love being together and why they love competing against each other to see all of these veterans coming together because of an idea that Joe and I started uh is pretty humbling built on the mission of enriching the lives of veterans and their family members the veteran golfers association is more than golf harnessing the ideas of camaraderie and competition the VGA was founded in 2014 by wounded veterans at Walter Reed hospital in Washington DC anchoring their personal recoveries from combat to the beautiful game of golf now hosting more than 1500 golf tournaments for military veterans annually none are more more unique than this weekend in Augusta Georgia and now Fox Sports proudly presents the 2024 Armed Forces cup from Champions Retreat 50 veterans eagerly await the start of the tournament but before the first t-shot in the morning the back-to-back Champions team army are honored at the annual Armed Forces Cup ring ceremony guys I can’t believe it’s been a year made that Inc shot right over there and we won we will have a sudden death playoff on whole 18 I select Tim Stanton to represent team army the determining shot in the whole thing was when Chris Gom from the Coast Guard yeah yes laid up short yeah and when he laid up short and Tim was already here the that was ridiculous right and then Tim dropped that Putt and I just lost it [Music] two years in two years in a row that’s crazy let’s get a toast in Man 1 two 3 go get those Rings yeah welcome last year’s Champions te [Applause] Army this year’s team army has set their sights on a three peat however team Marines Navy Air Force and Coast Guard are focused on taking the top spot on one of the best golf courses this country has to offer interview mark my name is Mike ryer I’m the director of golf here at Champions Retreat Golf Club the property opened in 2005 and we’re partners with the gust National we host the gusa national women’s Amer in the spring we’re the only golf club in the world that has Nicholas Palmer player designs on the same property the bluff N9 is the Nicholas 9 I say the most challenging nine on the property and there’s a lot of elevated greens a lot of false fronts you have to be really precise with your irons it’s it’s a spectacular nine holes The Isle nine that’s the Palmer nine uh that nine goes out and is on the Savannah River 6 and a half of the holes are actually an island so it’s it’s really interesting nine holes the creek hor that’s the Gary Player 9 I would say he holds the Acclaim for having the hardest hole on the property which is number one on Creek but also has probably I think one of the more beautiful holes on the property which is number nine Creek it’s a fantastic finishing hole having an event like this like the VGA the Armed Forces cup here is again puts us on the world stage and I feel very fortunate and blessed to be here we’re excited for everything that’s coming around the bend in the future when we return the 2024 Armed Forces cup officially tees off with a message from VGA president and CEO Josh Payton plus back-to- back champions team army look to continue their dominance in round one welcome back to the 2024 Armed Forces cup from Champions Retreat my name is Josh pyton I’m the president and CEO of the veteran golfers association Joe kayy and I founded this organization 10 years ago with the goal to enrich the lives of veterans and their family members through the sportsmanship and camaraderie of golf and we do that by hosting more than 1,500 golf tournaments a year for veterans and their families the Armed Forces cup is unique because this is the one golf tournament where players from all branches get to compete against each other in a Ryder Cup Style Match we’ve got veterans that served in Vietnam all the way through post 911 that are coming together as a team to represent their Branch to represent the veteran golfers association in a competitive field that really gets intensified as the matches go along so if you’re a veteran and you really want to play the game of golf and you want to join the VGA family look us up at vjag golf.org we would love for you to join our VGA family at Champions retreat in Augusta Georgia moments before the first t-shot a powerful demonstration of Brotherhood and camaraderie was on full display [Music] AFC [Music] attention the 2024 Armed Forces cup is officially started with Opening Ceremonies complete these veterans set off for the 36 hole Ridder cup Style Match play golf tournament where the branch with the most points after 2 days wins the Armed Forces Cup and the favorites had to be the two-time defending Champions team army founded in June of 1775 the Army is the United States oldest branch and its largest with over 450,000 active Personnel historically regarded as the world’s Premier Land fighting force they know a thing or two about winning last year team army made history by winning back-to-back Armed Forces championships after an impressive 6 and 1 12 points in round one team army only scored four total points in the final round but held on to force a three- te playoff with Team Air Force and Coast Guard in the final moments of the playoff retired sergeant major Tim Stanton stepped up for a 6-in putt for par to win the [Applause] tournament I’m proud to present the 2023 Armed Forces cup to United States [Applause] Army in their quest for a three repeat team army is led by team captain Tim Oakley honorary captain and retired Commanding General Michael Garrett and Gerald Burton returns as Captain’s Choice they will rely heavily on Bryce Krauss Danny Foster Keith Boyer and Tony Miller plus key contributions will be required from Donald pill sha Newman Tim wer and Nick faod Army my name is Tim Oakley I served in the Army from 1986 to 2007 I’m Shan Newman I served in the United States Army active for 15 years my junior year of high school I was like you know I’m going to go serve my country and that was back in ’99 it really changed my life and it gave me a different outlook on life to goow out there and do great wonderful things for our country when people go to combat you’re going with your brothers and sisters in arms and you never know who’s going to come back and who doesn’t that to me makes it kind of hard to deal with people say oh you got a purple heart I said no purple Heart’s Not earned Purple Heart being at the wrong place at the wrong time I was in the uh defa bombing in missou and there was a young captain that I worked with in the Brigade S3 Captain William Jacobson he gave the ultimate [Music] sacrifice and um I mean I think about him often cuz young kids like I did it could have been me just so so grateful as people like him served they give ultimate sacrifice to to their country I will never forget those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice very proud very honored to be here with everybody in the VGA that has put forth the time the effort once I got into it I realized that I can have four to 5 hours of just nothing on my mind except for what am I going to do the next shot and that really helped deal as a coping mechanism for that period of time I met a gentleman that was telling me about the veterans Golf Association and what entailed and it’s meant so much to me and golf meant so much to me it’s definitely changed my life for the better in in in a lot of aspects when a veteran finds the same joy in something that never would have thought oh well golf is a very frustrating Sport and it is but for them to find it is just phenomenal this would be a three repeat for team army Army came first in 1775 and we’re GNA keep it that way Go Army well team army did just that after round one scoring a team total of six points Tim Oakley fell behind early to team Navy’s LEL Crow giving up the second and third holes but Oakley battled back to tie things up on the back nine Chief Warrant Officer Oakley hit a line drive on the 11th to set up a par putt to win the hole he then took complete control after his Fairway seeking drive on the 12th winning the hole and thus the match by three Strokes winning the match today was wonderful on our way to retaining the cup as our motto here so uh look forward to going out tomorrow and then uh at least getting six to 10 more Sergeant Shawn Newman fell behind early on the first four holes against team Marines Troy Felder and was unable to win his round one match team army were tied for the lead and were in Prime position for their coveted three peat but with a final round of golf to be played every service Branch still had a shot including the inaugural Armed Forces Cup champions the Marines founded in November of 1775 the Marines are the smallest branch in the Department of Defense over the years they’ve won many of America’s greatest battles such as iojima and guad Canal earning a reputation as America’s most disciplined Fighting Force at the 2023 Armed Forces Cup team Marines and failed to complete their goal of winning two titles in three years despite a strong showing on round one team Marines only secured three and 1 half points on the final round to finish in last place team Marines look to win another Armed Forces cup led by team captain Jeff Duncan Captain’s Choice Doug gear wolf plus honorary captain and retired Major General Austin renforth they will need key contributions from Michael hendren Chris thelman Robert Ray and Matt McCurry plus look to pick up wins from Ben Matthews Mike Benny Michael Sullivan and Troy Felder Marine cor sound out Mike Benny uh United States Marine Corps 20 years active duty my name is Troy Felder I was a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps for just over eight years since a very young age I wanted to be a pilot and the Marine Corps gave me a chance to fly got to fly overseas uh the Persian Gulf Somalia some of the best times of my life that I can remember over my time in the rins the biggest thing I learned was how to operate efficiently in uncomfortable situations just being a part of the Brotherhood and not letting down the guys to your left and you’re right I got introduced to the game of golf pretty early it started with uh my daddy I never really took it serious back then I was just a small guy on the course trying to hit it far my father started taking me to a little dinky n hole course in outside of Boston when I was 5 years old so I’ve been playing the game of golf for over 50 years and it was a natural transition when I retired I wanted to do something in the golf industry so I went to uh golf school on the GI Bill and came back and started uh working at a golf course and here I am 10 years later um a division one head coach when I started coaching I asked all my players if they would be willing to carry the names of Fallen Soldiers Sailors a and Marines on their bags and the idea behind that is to remind them that our freedoms are not free and that there’s more to life than just playing golf and my guys really have taken to it so pretty proud of that the thing about the VJ that stuck for me was that from the time I showed up to that first event it was like being in with my brothers again this is a phenomenal organization cuz they’re bringing guys together I’ve seen a lot of friendships Bloom like from people that were just you know battling different depression or whatever and came out there didn’t really think they had anybody and just hit it off with people immediately just best of friends going on golf trips now together and everything seen a lot of positive come from we’re going to have fun out here win or lose we’re going to have a good time but you we definitely want to be an army this year and break up the uh three Peak despite winning their first three matches team Marines found themselves in last place with just three and a half points at the end of round one Mike Benny jumped out to an early lead against Team Air Force’s Justin gamut after hitting a well time drive off the first t- box setting up an easy par putt major Benny never looked back going up four strokes after an impressive approach shot on the ninth hole I got up early on uh Justin and then uh he clawed his way back on the back nine and we were just one up going into the last three holes and managed to win one of those last three to close it out two and one I was pretty happy with the way I played today team Marines Troy Felder defeated team army Shawn Newman thanks to his impressive distance off the T box throughout round one it was pretty good especially the first half I was getting out there about actually 310 315 the wedge just saved me so even when I did miss the green I had a wedge in my hand I was sticking it within 10 10 15 ft entering the final round of competition team Marines will need to put together an almost perfect day of golf just around the corner we will hear from three-time National Champion head coach Urban Meyer on how the VGA has impacted him and his family as they continue to support United States military veterans plus a look at Army’s biggest rival the Navy as the 2024 Armed Forces cup continues on FS1 Fox Sports has proud to present the 2024 Armed Forces cup from Champions Retreat I’m Urban Meyer and I’m a big supporter of our men and women who serve this country and I grew up in a military family my father was Army my sister was Air Force if you win a lot of games as a coach or catch touchdown passes Society now makes you a hero the hero to me is someone who’s completely service-based they give up themselves for something greater so to me when you say a veteran I say they hero a lot of men and women Ser in our country they experience things that most human beings do not experience and then they come back here and at times they feel lost veterans Golf Association is an organization that was created several years ago and the purpose is that it’s a community create this family around the great game of golf and I think we all have an obligation show the country what a veteran’s all about no greater way than the VGA at the end of the day there’s going to be a winner and there’s going to be a loser and the W Rays don’t [Music] lose with no better place to win their first Armed Forces Cup team Navy descends on Champions Retreat a golf course built by champions for Champions founded in October of 1775 the Navy’s core values of Honor courage and commitment fused together to protect econom IC Prosperity on the world’s interconnected oceans with over 300,000 active Personnel sailing on 280 plus ships these Sailors know a thing or two about winning last year team Navy came up short of the historic three team playoff with 10 total points scoring an impressive six points on round two of the competition this year team Navy is led by Captain Jeff manalansan Captain’s Choice Ty alers and honorary captain and retired vice admiral Ron foxall they will need to pick up wins from Jesse Schmidt Edward Shipley Ronald Russell and Douglas Feist plus rely heavily on Eric lindac LEL Crow Tim mikosi and jamee Sadler sound mikosi take one marker Lieutenant Commander Tim mikosi United States Navy 22 years when I was young I had this burning desire to be a pilot after I got my wings and I was sent to Vietnam on October 67 a Navy pilot was shot down near the hyong harbor they couldn’t deploy their weapons against us because we were between the ships but once we got clear of the harbor that’s when they opened fire and we were able to make it back out the sea ditched just about 100 yards off the coast and we’re rescued that’s why we’re hearing a today that my ears were damaged and various lacerations of my hands and feet arms and shrapnel wounds but other than that it was typical Landing in the water my name is LOL Crow Captain United States Navy served for 34 years and 7 days I love the Navy it has done so much for me that was my dream job was to be a naval officer I served in both Desert Storm operation enduring Freedom operation Iraqi Freedom it’s a different feeling from being the commanding officer where you’re sending these guys guys into combat and you have to realize that they may not come back you have to hold yourself accountable because you’re accountable to not only the country you’re accountable to the families you’re accountable to the people that you lead I was the commanding officer for the advanced Force staging base and uh I serves with Lieutenant Mike burphy not L winner two years later he was killed active duty so I always think about that think about the guys I served with guys that lost along the [Music] way it teaches you about people are what make it it special they’re doing it for the pride in their country and the people around them and understanding Mission first people always first time I heard about gvj was back in 2018 I just love the game it’s something you can play All Your Life the game was a place where I could walk out on the course and find peace the camaraderie you that’s something you won’t find outside of the military the Armed Forces cup is something that everybody wants to play in it’s not something that it’s given to you you have to earn it and I’m quite proud to be here the Navy has not won the Arm Forces cup we have really focused on winning this year’s cup go Navy beat Army go Navy beat Army team Navy found themselves well positioned to spoil their rival team army after scoring 5 and a half points in round one Tim mikosi found himself in a highly competitive match against team Marines Michael Sullivan Lieutenant Commander melosi was up one entering the eighth hole after an impressive approach shot from the rough mikosi then hit a par putt from 15 ft as he went up two shots on the front nine it was a battle to the last hole beat my suan the Marine we got one point for the Navy Team Navy’s L Crow started off strong against team Army’s Tim Oakley going up two after the first four holes it’s been a two-year mission for me we’re looking a lot stronger we’re very focused as a team but Captain Crow struggled off the te throughout the back nine in a round one loss with the final round of competition ahead team Navy is in strong position to make a meaningful charge as they attempt to win their first ever Armed Forces cup just around the corner we hear from army veteran and motivational speaker Cedric King about his unique perspective on honor and sacrifice plus a look at how a loaded Team Air Force fared after round one next and only on FS1 this is a special presentation of the 2024 Armed Forces cup from Champions Retreat my name is Cedric King Master Sergeant United States Army and serve for 20 years and 1 month my last deployment was in 2012 and I step on an IED blows both my legs off listen let me tell you this this this right here is a symbol of it’s a reminder that I did not have to quit when things got tough I’m learning how to love this just as much or more than what I had before in the military we we thrive on teamwork and when we get out of the military we are separated from our teams when you’re in a room full of veterans even though we may not have served together now you’re my brother and when we’re together for four or five hours golfing laughing it may keep a vet alive another day that’s why you have to have organiz a like these it’s not about necessarily the golf you get to be yourself finally that’s something a lot of vets haven’t done in a long time Cedric King shares a unique bond with veterans competing at the Armed Forces cup the belief that anything is possible provides a purpose which fuels the day-to-day aspect of their lives founded in September of 1947 the mission of the United States Air Force is to fly fight and win equipped with over 300 12,000 active personnel and over 5,000 aircraft these Airmen play a critical role in securing and protecting the freedom of the United States last year at the Armed Forces Cup team Air Force scored a tournament High seven points in the final round forcing an historic three- team playoff with Redemption at the Forefront Team Air Force boasts One of the deepest and most talented teams in the tournament this year Team Air Force is led by Captain Robert peaw Captain’s Choice Howard Thurman an honorary captain and retired General Lance Smith they will rely heavily on Justin gamut Philip Richie WD maeni and Jim jackaboi plus Team Air Force is expecting wins from Scott weeder Holt Daniel Bloomer Terrence Jacobs and Adam Donahue United States Air Force sound off scott weol United States Air Force 47 years old 25 years of service I deployed seven times throughout my career I just get pure joy out of executing not only the mission but seeing our our young service men and women out there making our nation proud I still get goosebumps when a national anthem is played it still tugs at the heartstrings and you know those types of things are a part of the fabric of who I think I am and really is the foundation of my service technical Sergeant Adam Donahue retired 21 years I decided to join the Air Force cuz I wanted to travel and see the world here we are yeah 70 countries and 21 years later I was in training for to be a load master and during that time the early 2000s it was right after both Wars kicked off Afghanistan and Iraq so you had to grow up really quick we all know the feeling of tents the adrenaline’s running know you’re a little scared always we just want to do our job and get through and God willing uh we’ll make it out of this alive we all share that Bond and we’ll live with it for the rest of our life it’s my place to go to just be in complete Serenity it’s just the challenge of it that peer contact when you hit that great swing and the ball goes where you want it to go it’s just yeah it’s a special place it brings people together and you meet a lot of people on the golf course you build a lot of friendships so all those military connections just keep getting stronger on the golf course I heard about the DGA about 10 years ago and you’re part of a family here and you get to do cool stuff like this I’ve made lifelong friends it’s really great to hear their stories and and how we come together to hit this little ball around of course it’s truly phenomenal and the Armed Forces cup is just amazing that Bond remains strong for Team Air Force as their six points in round one had them tied for first place with back-to-back Champions team army as Adam Donahue led the charge for Team Air Force thanks to his impressive drive off the eighth T box heading hole 11 up three right now got to stay aggressive stay focused he then went on to win the next five holes winning his match against team Navy’s Eric Lindo by five Strokes Colonel Scott weer hold found himself down five Strokes through the front nine but battled back entering the 14th after an impressive Drive in the middle of the Fairway weer hold set himself up for a par putt to win the hole and pull within one but team coast guards Matthew Bailey proved to be too much winning the match by Two Strokes I think we’re in a good spot right now so we’re going to be in the hunt tomorrow Team Air Force got much needed wins from Jim jackaboi Daniel Bloomer Philip Richie WD maeni and Howard Thurman put themselves in Prime position entering the final round when we return PGA Tour veteran Charlie Rhymer expresses his gratitude and support for the PGA and how the game of golf has impacted America’s greatest heroes plus team Coast Guard looks to improve on last year’s success as the 2024 Armed Forces cup continues on FS1 this past year the veteran golfers association hosted their annual national championship tournament at Fallen Oak in buuy Mississippi over 90 of the best players in the nation competed for the coveted VGA Red Jacket a symbol that stands to remember everyone deployed retired army Sergeant Travis Bryant and retired Marine major Lauren Neil each one their respective division by three Strokes to win the tournament the countdown is on to the upcoming National Championship at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro North Carolina on September 15th my name is Charlie Rymer and a previous life I played professional golf somehow managed to get on the PGA tour for a while and my game left me at a very young age and I was given the opportunity to get into broadcasting and one of the cool things about getting to broadcasting especially in the world of golf which is a pretty tight-knit Community you get to meet some incredible people and I was very fortunate that I got to meet Josh pton and Joe kayy and they had this crazy idea of the veteran golfers association and I just really picked up very quickly how genuine and authentic they were and what they were trying to do for our military community golf brings people together you can compete you can be social you can travel you can go see other places it’s a way to create relationships create connections and at the end of the day I think that’s what the Vets respond to and watch is such a great sport for them there was a group of guys in Orlando they had a buddy in an apartment out in Dallas and they flew out there and they rescued this vet got him back got him stabilized got him engaged in golf ended up getting some training a job his whole life back together because of what golf does for the veteran community and and it just it it really humbles me when I see things like that happen these people have given so much for us and me being here and being around them it’s just such an incredible honor it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever been able to do in my life the Armed Forces cup was created to reward those VGA members with the most participation throughout the VGA tour season culminating in a Ridder cup Style Match play championship between the ser branches and for the Coast Guard the desire to hoist this year’s Armed Forces cup is as deep as the waters they are sworn to protect founded in 1790 the Coast Guard is responsible for patrolling 95,000 Mi of US Coast searching ships and Performing rescue missions the Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the military and a member of the United States Department of Homeland Security last year at the Armed Forces Cup team Coast Guard finished tied for second place with a total team score of 10 1 12 points despite coming up short in the first ever three- te playoff team Coast Guard retooled this year team Coast Guard is Led Again by Captain Bryce Haden who is joined by Captain’s Choice Matthew Bailey and honorary captain and retired rear Admiral Bob day they will rely heavily on Steve Bates Tyler Bowden Stu Striker and James Belair plus key contributions will be required from Mark tols Michael Bradshaw Michael Sparks and Bill rhods United States Coast Guard Bradshaw interview take one marker my name is Michael Bradshaw 21 years of service in the United States Coast Guard B’s made first class going into the service there was a purpose more than just staying home and working a simple job I wanted to serve my country my name is Matt Bailey uh United States Coast Guard petty officer first class I did 20 years of service I am super proud to be a veteran of the United States of America especially the Coast Guard still being a part of that family is unbelievable to me and a privilege I think the most proud of during my time of service is being able to make that sacrifice we put ourselves into dangerous situations life or death quick decision you having to make a rescue I had just gotten in the Coast Guard in a 911 hit to be there at Ground Zero and to see everything that happened it knocked the heart right out of you when you’re sitting there knowing that you’re at Ground Zero of something that’s happened there’s a little bit of fear that’s in you there’s adrenaline pumping through you non-stop because we were on the boats doing 12 to 16 hour patrols and you don’t know what’s going to happen and that not knowing factor in the back of your mind it’s kind of scary what’s unique about the Arm Forces cup compete competing against other branches of service the camaraderie the friends you make the banner between each other it’s unbelievable experience Coast Guard is going to win the tournament this year is cuz we’re tired of being the little step brother watch out boys here we come go Coast Guard team Coast Guard got off to a strong start thanks to Matthew Bailey picking up a key win against Team Air Force’s Scott weer Holt petty officer first class Bailey never trailed thanks to his powerful drives off the t- box I went up 5 really quick and then I think I got a little bit too comfortable he started playing some golf on the back nine I hit some really good shots into the green and put a little pressure on him I end up closing out on the 18th hole and finishing the two up Michael Bradshaw was in a back and forth affair with Team Air Force’s Jim jackaboi and was tied entering the final three holes of round one did a lot of things well until about the 16th or 17th I think I just started getting tired at that point wish I had back the uh putt on the hole before this one I thought it was going in and it just fell right under it Bradshaw ended up losing his match by Two Strokes team Coast Guard finished the round with four points and in fourth place heading into the final round of competition coming up next a champion is crowned from Champions Retreat during the thrilling final round of the tournament find out which branch takes home the title next and only on FS1 entering the final round of the competition team army sat at top the leader board but with only two and 1 half points separating the five teams every Captain knew the Armed Forces cup was up for grabs now we were tied coming into it and we know Army brings it strong so uh we had a team meeting and we’re just going to play aggressive and and get after it to start the day Air Force’s Scott weer hold jumped out to a commanding lead against Army’s Tony Miller it’s warm out greens are a little bit faster than yesterday but uh got some good playing competitors so it’s going to be a good round Adam Donahue did the same against Troy Felder of the Marines think I’m up by a couple but uh plenty of holes left so got to stay focused well right now I’m down but you know I’m about to make a comeback here pretty soon despite Troy’s optimism Donahue held on for a win and so did weer Holt add in Howard furman’s win over Navy’s Tim mikowski an Air Force was up to nine total points why are you guys following army people well Howard we filmed them because they can’t stop winning and after victories by Captain Tim Oakley plus two others team army was again tied with Team Air Force at nine points a piece for team Coast Guard Matthew Bailey relied on his short game while playing to tie against Navy’s James Saddler up and Mike Bradshaw drove his way to a victory over Jeff Duncan of the Marines otherwise Coast Guard never found their Rhythm on the greens and failed to turn their fortunes around closing the round with three and a half points good for a fourth place finish oh team Navy had their share of hardships too but thanks to James saddler’s tie and a pair of wins they were just a point back of the leaders if there’s a trophy at the end of it cool if not we’ve all had a great time that’s fair but winning would be a lot of fun too and with most of their players locked in tight battles in particular L Crow go in the final hole even Navy’s Championship hopes were still alive meaning down the stretch every point would be crucial find it oh for team Marines the belief was that a round two surge could overcome their round one struggles day yeah that’s right but with Troy Felder having already lost and Mike Benny starting slowly team Marines never found their Mojo at the Armed Forces Cup come on oh ending the round with just two points and finishing in last place as Mike bny fell to Army’s Bryce Krauss team army now had 10 points just ahead of Navy and Air Force building on their hot start bam Air Force responded with two quick wins including one by WD maeni over Navy’s Jeff manamon to take sole possession of first place with 11 points now I get on over on the bluff N9 team Army’s Tim putted his way to a oneup lead then sunk a clutch shot on 18 to create another tie at top the leaderboard this is my first real VGA win I was nervous over the put you know just a quick three-footer to tie and tie the hole and call it a day so it feels good but to win a third consecutive Armed Forces Cup team army would need more points yeah so we’re tied going into 18 here so it’s been a good match and we’ll probably have the crowd all waiting for us ditto team Navy and LOL Crow who found himself in a must-win matchup against Army’s Nick swaboda [Music] oh oh I’m in the lake but after sending his third shot into the water Crow conceded the round effectively eliminating team Navy and putting team team army back in first with 12 points now all eyes turned to Team Air Force the only Squad capable of ending team Army’s bid for a three repeat not one to shy away from adversity Daniel Bloomer answered the call and even the score at 12 how’s the Air Force doing air force is looking good how’d that one finish just one then after two ties and AD Justin gamut win Air Force went from good to Great 14 points and a commanding lead it feels just as good to win as it does to keep Army from winning go Air Force with his team down but not out Donald pill led the response I grabbing a crucial 13th Point nice fight and setting up a dramatic finish between Air Force’s Terrence Jacobs and Army’s Gerald Burton for Jacobs a tie or a win would clinch Air Force’s first ever Armed Forces cup a burton win would send us to a playoff so we’re having some fun and making memories all square with one to go Air Force or Army who will it be there each golfer hit their t-shot in the Fairway but while Jacob’s second shot landed near the green Burton went into the water unfazed by his opponent’s error Jacobs hit a nice Chip Shot onto the green where Burton soon joined him then Jacobs kept his composure and sunk a two putt on 18 to win the 2024 Armed Forces cup for Team Air Force the Army has beaten us down for the last couple of years and they’ve been talking trash and those was finally to get one back up on them with Jacob’s putt Air Force became the first team and Armed Force Cup history to not lose a single matchup in the final round of competition as they finished with nine points and 15 total for the tournament it is my distinct honor to present the 2024 Armed Forces cup to team United States Air Force baby kudos to this team right here we would got n points broke a record nobody lost we all worked to get here put in a lot of golf get to that qualifier and you had to work your butt off and come here meet these great guys it’s been awesome as these veterans conclude their week from Champions retreat in Augusta Georgia their memories camaraderie and bonds forged through competition will last a lifetime all thanks to the special experience of competing in the 2024 Armed Forces cup Fox Sports and the veteran golfer Association thank you for watching this edition of the 2024 Armed Forces cup from Champions retreat [Music]
