Driving Range Helps Soldiers Relax

Courtesy Photo | (right), Spc. Esdras Garcia, a financial specialist, and an Utuado, Puerto Rico, native won the Long Ball Competition by hitting the ball 300 yards. Garcia is assigned to Echo Detachment Financial Management Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.06.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By 1Lt. Michelle Davis
1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Soldiers of Echo Detachment, 230th Financial Management Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, took a break from their normal routine and hit the driving range at Camp Victory, Iraq.

Echo Detachment's unofficial long ball competition was a great opportunity for Soldiers to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Even the small dust storm did not deter the Soldiers from having a good time.

Capt. Fredrik Maul, commander of Echo Detachment, and a Palm Harbor, Fla., native, commented "The golf outing was a welcome change of pace for our Soldiers. It is amazing what a little diversion can do to increase the productivity the following day. Trips like this enhance the Soldiers morale and are great team building events."

The winner of the long ball competition was Spc. Esdras Garcia, a financial specialist, and Utuado, Puerto Rico, native. He drove the ball 300+ yards. Garcia stated, "I really enjoy golfing because it's challenging and you can always get better at it. It's always a great time when you do something different other than work while you are deployed. The time we spent at the driving range was great and I am looking forward for the next time."

The runner up was Spc. Benjamin Johnston, a financial specialist, and a Troy, Ohio, native. He is a newcomer to golf, but has picked up on the sport very quickly and hit the ball 250+ yards.

Johnston stated, "I really enjoy going out and honing in my skills, it is really refreshing to do something different."

Spc. Desiree Garcia, financial specialist, and a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, was a first time golfer. She stated, "Golf is a lot harder to play than what I expected." Garcia received some tips and training from the more experienced golfers and by the end of the day she had made a lot of progress.

The Victory driving range is not a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation run facility and is maintained by volunteers. All the equipment and greens have been donated. Echo Detachment Soldiers will be heading back to the range on Saturday morning to help with the golf ball pick-up and maintenance to ensure the range is maintained for future golf outings.

• Date Taken: 08.06.2008
• Date Posted: 08.06.2008 07:48
• Story ID: 22174
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ