United States Golf Association, Indianwood Golf and Country Club to Pay Tribute to Military at 2012 U.S. Senior Open

Warren, Mich. (PRWEB) June 29, 2012

When the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Indianwood Golf and Country Club kick off the 33rd U.S. Senior Open Championship the week of July 9 - 15 in Lake Orion, Mich., the two organizations will do so with a respectful nod to a key industry that many don’t associate with Michigan – the military.

“The USGA is pleased to honor our nation’s military at the U.S. Senior Open,” said Tim Flaherty, the USGA’s senior director of the U.S. Senior Open Championship. “The U.S. Army’s Detroit Arsenal has more than 8,500 associates, and we are proud to assist in a program that provides quality of life for soldiers, their families and civilian employees. We appreciate the efforts of those soldiers, whether on active duty or retired, as well as those working behind the scenes as civilians in military work.”

Together, the USGA and Indianwood have coordinated efforts with the U.S. Army TACOM LCMC to show appreciation for those Soldiers currently serving, retired Soldiers and those behind the scenes. These efforts include:

• “Military Wednesday” – All military service personnel – both active and retired – are invited to experience the 2012 U.S. Senior Open on Wednesday, July 11. By showing Military identification at the gate, guests will receive one free grounds ticket for Wednesday’s practice rounds. As always, children 17 and under are admitted for free and parking for all spectators is free.
• “Military Hole” – For the first time at a USGA event, the 448-yard 16th hole at Indianwood will be designated the “Military Hole” on July 11. At the hole, the everyday pin flag will be replaced by an American flag. When golfers reach the putting surface, a caddy will deliver the flag to a local Soldier who will hold the flag at attention – “tend the pin” – and keep the flag safely off the ground. Caddies will replace the flag as groups move to the 17th tee.
• “Ticket Special” – All associates working at the U.S. Army Garrison - Detroit Arsenal are receiving an email from the Army’s Family & Morale, Welfare & Recreation (FMWR) offering them a code to receive a special price on tickets good any day of the tournament. The Detroit Arsenal employs about 8,500 in Warren, Mich., a mere 30 miles south of the course. Army business units there include the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, among others.

“I am equally happy and proud that our folks at Indianwood and the USGA are able to provide this kind of recognition and have Army participation at the U.S. Senior Open Championship,” remarked Keith Aldridge, general manager of Indianwood Golf and Country Club and U.S. Senior Open Championship chairman. “This is the type of community involvement and spirit unique to the sport of golf and one that really hits home here in Michigan.”

All-time greats such as Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin and Nick Price will be vying for the U.S. Senior Open on a timeless, Wilfrid Reid-designed Golden Age course that opened in 1925. Reid also designed The Olympic Club in San Francisco, site of the recently completed U.S. Open. For more information, visit http://www.USGA.org.

“The people at the USGA and Indianwood Golf and Country Club are doing great things for this area,” said Major General Michael J. Terry, commanding general of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. “I appreciate the recognition they are giving our Soldiers, and I am proud that we at the Detroit Arsenal are able to support this event.”

The military and golf have a long, beneficial history. A few examples include …

• The organization Golf Supports Our Troops works to improve the lives of wounded and disabled veterans and active duty troops through the game of golf. More information on the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is here:

• During World War II, Camp Callan was located near U.S. Highway 101 about 15 miles north of San Diego in the La Jolla area. It occupied a rectangular piece of land approximately three miles north-to-south. This land is on the Torrey Pines Mesa and is near the Pacific Ocean, and the northern portion of the former base is today the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
• Although not exactly clear, many speculate that Mary, Queen of Scots, brought the term “caddy” into the language of golf. In her native France, military cadets carried golf clubs for the royalty – hence “caddy.”

For more information on the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal, visit these sites:

• http://garrison-michigan.army.mil/sites/garrison/garrison%20main.htm
• http://www.tacom.army.mil
• http://www.tardec.army.mil

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