Air Force Vet Plays 11 Rounds of Golf in Myrtle Beach in Honor of Veteran’s Day

Mark Chapman, a 21-year Air Force veteran, played 11 rounds of golf in honor of Veteran’s Day in the Golf Capital of the World. Chapman completed all 11 rounds in a time of 10 hours, 19 minutes and eight seconds. Chapman played at Waterway Hills Golf Club, a Myrtle Beach golf vacation favorite.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Salute Military Golf Association.

“What an amazing day; 198 holes in less than 11 hours, I’m exhausted, yet exhilarated,” said Chapman, who was doused with champagne after finishing the final hole. “When it got tough out there, I thought of all the men and women who I served with in Iraq and Afghanistan and realized that they had it a lot harder than me today. These 11 rounds were for them.”

Chapman’s military career spanned numerous military campaigns including Operation Iraqi Freedom and he is a recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Chapman began play at 6:28 a.m. and he completed his 198th, and final, hole at 4:47 p.m., 29 minutes before sunset time at 5:16 p.m. The elapsed time included shorts breaks and opportunities to accommodate media interviews throughout the day. The scores of the 11 rounds were: 86; 91; 96; 99; 98; 92; 93; 86; 81; 90; 82; for a total score of 994.

He averaged 90.3 strokes per round. The 198-hole scoring breakdown included four birdies; 53 pars; 90 bogeys; 40 double bogeys; seven triple bogeys; three quadruple bogeys and one score of 10. Chapman used only seven clubs to complete the 11 rounds – driver; 3-wood; hybrid; 7-iron, two wedges and a putter.

Waterway Hills is a 27-hole facility, and Chapman played the facility’s Oaks Nine 22 times to equal 11 rounds of golf. He played from the members tees which measured 3,080 yards for nine holes. The 11 rounds equated to 67,760 yards or 38.5 miles. Chapman used a special E-Z-Go golf cart that travels nearly 30 miles per hour.

Chapman’s effort also focused national media attention on the Myrtle Beach golf scene. Golf Channel covered the 11-rounds in 11 hours golf marathon and provided early highlights on “Morning Drive” and a re-cap of Chapman’s successful completion of the 198 holes on “Golf Central.”

“Mark’s dedication, determination and desire to complete 11 rounds on 11-11-11 is truly an inspiration,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “While we recognize his accomplishment on the golf course on this day, we also thank him for his service to our country. He is a great example of the fine men and women who serve our country every day around the world.”