Sheppard hosts celebrity golf tournament

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Meredith Dilley
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Mission Support Group's Celebrity Golf Tournament took place on September 21st at Wind Creek Golf Course, as Airmen and their families had the chance to unwind, golf, and meet and greet with two former NFL players who came out to show their support for the military.

Darryl Brown, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, and Kevin O'Neal from the Detroit Lions also took a tour of Sheppard to learn about life and training in the Air Force.

"This is cool. It really is," said Brown. "I give you guys a lot of props for all you go through."
Brown and O'Neal visited with pilots in the 80th Flying Training Wing and had a chance to ride in the simulators.

"I executed a few moves," said O'Neal. "And I only crashed twice. I've never been in a cockpit before, either, so that was really neat."

They also had a chance to work with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal trainees and to participate in morning physical training. Brown, who currently works as a coach in Daytona Beach, Fla., marveled at the intensity of it all.

"PT at 4:40 in the morning? That's impressive," Brown commented. "The work you guys do and the training you guys get is awesome."

Brown and O'Neal also made a tour of local high schools on September 20th, speaking to the football teams and learning the intricacies of "six-man football."

"That was one of the most rewarding things," said O'Neal. "Being able to talk to the kids and hearing what they had to say was awesome."

Second Lieutenant Matthew Thorne of the 82nd Contracting Squadron organized the tournament for the Mission Support Group.

"It's a great opportunity for the base to get out and enjoy the course and the nice weather," said Thorne.

Fourteen teams competed in a four-man scramble competition at the course, with James Christman, Dave Miles, Chris Pittner, and James Welter of Defense Support Services (DS2) finishing first in the tournament.

The Mission Support Group hopes to make this tournament an annual event to support the golf course.