Field artillery Soldiers from across 3rd Infantry Division competed in the Fires Cup Golf Tournament at Taylors Creek Golf Course on Fort Stewart, March 21. The Soldiers raised more than $1,000 to offset the cost of tickets for the annual St. Barbara’s Ball.
Four teams from 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th infantry Brigade Combat Team, competed against teams from other artillery units in the division including 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment and the 4th IBCT’s Fires and Effects Coordination Cell.
The quarterly event hosted multiple teams of four players each in a “best ball” scramble. There were also competitions for the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin.
The winning threesome came from 1/41 FA with a score of 56 which is 16 strokes under par. Members of the winning team also won the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin competitions.
To raise even more money, teams could purchase “mulligans” for $5 each. The “mulligans” allowed players to redo a bad shot. The Family Readiness Group from 1/41 FA hosted a concession stand, selling breakfast burritos and coffee for the contestants.
One team from 1/76 FA, comprised of Maj. John Ripa, 1st Lt. Rob Gordon, 1st Lt. Adam Dickinson and 1st Lt. Brian O’Connor finished in second place with a score of 66.
“Today was a great opportunity to get away from the office and enjoy a nice day on the course,” said Dickinson, the maintenance control officer for G Company. “We played pretty well, and it would have been great to win, but we just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities. Congratulations to 1/41 FA and their victory. We will be looking forward to the next event.”
The other teams from 1/76 FA finished neck-and-neck, posting scores of 77, 78 and 79.
“Even though we didn’t play very well, it was still a lot of fun to get out to the course and meet artillerymen from the other battalions. We even got a free round of golf by coming in last! I guess they thought we needed the practice,” said 1st Lt. Jeff Hart, a fire direction officer from B Battery.
The winning team earned the Fires Cup Trophy, a 155mm howitzer shell, and the right to paint the shell with their unit colors and crest. Each player on the winning team received a free round of golf at Taylors Creek Golf Course and a bucket of range balls.
The St. Barbara’s Ball is the traditional ball for field artillerymen held annually around December. The money raised from this event will offset the cost for junior Soldiers to attend this year’s ball.