Veterans Golf Classic Produces Good Times, Lasting Memories


The 14th annual Veterans Golf Classic, one of the most popular events on the Myrtle Beach golf calendar, attracted 450 veterans from 33 states (including Alaska!) and again delivered on its promise of a good time.

Played on 12 Myrtle Beach golf courses, two-man teams competed in one of four flights based on handicap. But for many players, a pair of different team competitions highlighted the event.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion compete each year for the Carolina Cup, and the VFW prevailed for the fifth consecutive year. In the Branch Challenge, which pits each of the five service branches against one another, Air Force won for the first time since 2010.

Jack Morgan, Jr. and Roger Smith, both from Sunset Beach, N.C., won the MacArthur Flight with a team score of 258. Dave Marcella of Yorktown, Va., and Murrells Inlet’s Michael Riley shot a 250 to win the Eisenhower Flight.

Bruce Martin of Wrightstown, N.J., and Leszek Wlodarczyk from Whiting, New Jersey won the Nimitz Flight with a score of 189 (flight was shortened to 36 holes due to rain). Ohio native George Millward and Ronald Reghetti from Carolina Shores, N.C., shot a 265 to capture the Franks Flight.

The Veterans Golf Classic is a 54-hole event that featured a different format each day – better ball, combined net team scores and a scramble. Players were placed into one of four flights – Eisenhower, MacArthur, Nimitz and Franks – based on their handicap.

In addition to playing outstanding Myrtle Beach golf courses, participants also enjoyed an afternoon happy hour after the first two rounds and a Wednesday night banquet that is the highlight of the event. The banquet, as always, included a presenting of the colors, an awards ceremony, and a three-course meal.

The host courses for this year’s tournament were Aberdeen Country Club, Arrowhead Country Club, Black Bear Golf Club, Indian Wells, Man O’War, Possum Trot, River Hills, Byrd Course at Sea Trail, Shaftesbury Glen, Tradition Club, Wicked Stick, Wizard.