Ben Hogan, one of the best golfers to have played the game, stepped away from the game to serve our country during World War II.
Now, in his honor, the Ben Hogan Foundation hosts a golf tournament at Fort Hood each year for active duty soldiers.
"A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work," SPC Kyle Barber said.
Two hundred soldiers had the chance to see if their golf game was up to par in the 6th annual Ben Hogan Classic 4-man scramble.
"In 1942, when Mr. Hogan was winning about a third of the tournaments he was entering on the PGA Tour, he left the PGA Tour to join the Army Air Corps to proudly serve his country," Robert Stennett, the CEO of the Ben Hogan Foundation, said.
After his passing, the Ben Hogan Foundation was established to honor the late, great golfer.
"And we do things that we think Mr. Hogan would want us to do," Stennett added.
Which is why they host a golf tournament to serve those who serve us.
"It makes me want to go play in the PGA Tour after the military," SPC Barber added.
"The very first year we did this, we tried to put on a competitive event, and we quickly learned that perhaps 25 percent of soldiers don't play golf," Stennett said.
"I hit them straight... into the woods," SPC Barber said.
But on a serious note, Garrison Commander Colonel Hank Perry is thankful for the Ben Hogan Foundation and the dozens of volunteers who traveled from all over the country to serve his soldiers.
"Our country recognizes and appreciates them... that's important. Not only for the current soldiers, but also our future generation. They see that our country continues to recognize and appreciate the service and sacrifice of not only them, but the families," COL Perry said.
Fort Hood is the only military installation where the Ben Hogan Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament.
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