Fort Stewart Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Gregory hosted a golf scramble June 31 at Taylors Creek Golf Course to boost comradeship and focus on physical fitness.
“The golf scramble is an event to promote camaraderie among the military and civilian communities,” Gregory said. “It is a great opportunity to build family bonds and meet new people.”
A scramble is a variation of golf that is played with four-person teams that compete for a common score. Each team player hits a drive in a shotgun start. The team then chooses the best drive and selects that position for the next shot. Each player shoots from the chosen spot, and the process continues until someone from the team sinks a putt.
The garrison commander’s golf scramble is offered eight times a year and is open to military families and community members.
“We are all one community,” Gregory said. “We consider ourselves part of Hinesville, part of Richmond Hill and all of the local communities.”
Taylors Creek is an 18-hole, par-72 course that includes a clubhouse with a professional shop and a driving range with a PGA professional golfer on site for instruction.
Gregory said the golf scramble is a great event for community and military families to get to know one another over friendly competition and physical activity.
“We want to open these events to anyone, so they can come out, have a good time and enjoy the golf course,” he said. “But I know a lot of people worry about what happens when they come through the gate.”
In the upcoming months, Gregory said the installation plans to improve gate procedures to make it easier for non-military community members to attend on-post events like the garrison commander’s golf scramble.
The event was part of the Army sports program, which pushes to increase physical-based activities and events.
“Across the installation and throughout the community, we are working to increase fitness for everyone — soldiers, families and community members,” Gregory said. “Events like the golf scramble get people outside to take advantage of what Georgia and Fort Stewart have to offer.”
The Army wellness center is coming to the installation in the next 60 to 90 days, Gregory said. A new, comprehensive soldier-and-family-fitness-training center will work with the wellness center to enhance fitness, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.
“It is important to live a fit lifestyle,” Gregory said. “We need to teach our kids that there is more to life than sitting in the house playing video games.”
More fitness events have been offered this year on Fort Stewart, and Gregory said the plan is to add even more next year.
“We have done a few extras physical events this year, and we will continue to build on that in the coming year by hosting more 5-kilometers runs, cross-fit challengers and intramural sports,” he said.
The next garrison commander’s golf scramble is at 1 p.m. July 26. Participants can register at Taylors Creek Golf Course, and the event costs $35 for military and family members and $45 for civilians.