Airmen tee-off in golf tournament

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hayden K. Hyatt
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Almost one-hundred Airmen competed in the first Airmen Appreciation Golf Tournament at Gator Lakes Golf Course on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 16.

The tournament was part of the Single Airmen Program Initiative. SAPI is a program designed to foster a strong culture, mission, and sense of community for single Airmen.

As the Airmen competed they were also entered in drawings to win prizes such as golf bags, hats, putters and even a GPS.

"We raised almost a thousand dollar's worth of prizes that we gave right back to the Airmen," said Capt. Jonathan P. Eizenberg, chief of the weapons systems branch for Air Force Special Operations Command and an event organizer.

For many Airmen, this was the first game of golf they had ever played.

"I started off a little shaky," said Senior Airmen Johnny Almaguer, a client systems technician for the 1st Special Operations Wing. "I'm just a first timer so [I was] missing balls, hitting them into the trees or water, but toward the end I started picking it up."

Many different units showed support for the Airmen by allowing them time off to participate in the event.

"I think it boosts morale--it really does." said Airman 1st Class Trevor Wilcox, a contracting specialist of 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron. "We go to work every day and we spend all these long hours there so it's nice to get a break every once in a while."

Airmen from all ranks and backgrounds participated in the free tournament.

"We had chiefs with Airmen out there playing the same group--where is that going to happen?" said Robert Scott, the SAPI assistant coordinator for the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron. "There was mentoring and instruction. It was a free-for-all fun time."

The SAPI plans to sponsor future events for single Airmen.

"In support of "Single Airmen Program Initiative" We have other events in the queue," said Eizenberg. "I'll be leading skydiving, bowling tournaments, paintball tournaments and other events to utilize this money we have from the community center."

For more information contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 850-884-5441