Photo By Kiera Anderson | Sgt. Shawn Whitmore with 135th Quartermaster Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga.— It’s apparent upon first glance that Sgt. Shawn Whitmore, even dressed in a gold and black T-shirt, black shorts, and yellow and gold tennis shoes to match, is a soldier. He’s left his uniform at home and his work as a laboratory petroleum specialist for 135th Quartermaster Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade at the office. Still, the military bearing and the pride he takes in being a soldier is clear to see.
His appearance is neat and orderly, and even though he’s dressed casually his T-shirt and visor still proudly proclaim “Army.” His head is shaved and he carries himself with the comfortable self awareness of a soldier-athlete. Yet, his smile and his laugh are infectious and inviting. And, why not? It’s a beautiful, sunny day, Whitmore, 38, is the No. 1 ranked golfer in the Army, and he’s got some time to kill on the golf course as he prepares to defend his title during the All Army Golf trials at Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 1-5.
The best applicants in the Army will compete to see who will take the top six spots in the competition, as well as who will represent the Army in Jacksonville, Fla., against the Navy, Air Force and Marines in the All Armed Forces segment. From there, the best six golfers will represent the United States against other nations. It’s an opportunity that Whitmore is honored to be a part of again.
“We’re the most diverse Army in the world,” said Whitmore. “We even have some Olympic athletes in the Army. We know we’re all soldiers first, and then the Army is giving us the opportunity to showcase our athletic ability. You see there’s a lot talent in all the forces and that we’re not just soldiers. We also have some hidden talents.”
It’s been quite a feat to make it this far, said Whitmore. There were moves and deployments and his duties as a soldier to contend with. There were two major injuries to heal and recover from, the result of improvised explosive devices and mortar rockets during his deployments in Afghanistan. Each time he got the chance to come back to the sport, he did. It was like riding a bike, he said, and soon he was back in fighting form. It was this dedication, and taking the initiative to seek out golf opportunities sponsored by the Army, that led him to where he is now. Not bad for a man that started playing golf when he was sixteen after shifting focus from another hard hitting sport.
“I actually played baseball,” said Whitmore. “I didn’t want to play baseball anymore, so my dad said come on out and play golf. I was hooked after the first day.”
Whitmore tried playing as PGA professional for a while, competing in mini tours. His performance wasn’t what he expected, though he looks back on the learning experience fondly and with a sense of humor.
“Those guys were just too good out there,” Whitmore said with a chuckle.
Ironically it was when golf became a beloved hobby that things started picking up speed for Whitmore. Four years of competing, sometimes with shaky results, allowed him to make quite a name for himself, even giving him the chance to play with pros like David Duval, the former World No. 1 at the 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
It all started when his life focus changed and he decided to start a family. That’s when he followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and became a soldier in proud family tradition. Passing on legacies is something he and his family understand well, especially when it comes to his favorite sport.
“I have five kids,” said Whitmore, ranging from 15 months to 11-years-old. “Everybody golfs, except for my 15-month-old, but she likes to carry around the clubs. We love golf because we go out there and have a good time. There’s no pressure.”
While little Alexis may not be fitting competition just yet, one of his older sons is right on his heels.
“My 10-year old, Austin, is getting to the point now where can almost beat me,” said Whitmore.
It’s the familial bond and how golf has strengthened it that Whitmore treasures most, he said. It accounts for his fond memories of everything from his first tournament to his the most recent one.
“My dad was actually my caddy who carried my clubs around for my first-ever tournament. That meant more to me than actually competing,” said Whitmore, who is repeating the cycle with his own son.
“My son (Austin) still talks about Disney and meeting Tour Pros and his dad being on TV,” said Whitmore, beaming with fatherly pride. “The first couple days he’s going to be out there. He always walks the golf course with me.”
Still, Whitmore is not in danger of growing an inflated ego, not if his son has anything to say about it.
“He’s my strongest supporter,” said Whitmore, “but he’s also my biggest critic.”
According to Whitmore, his wife, Tracey, is the backbone of the family, who helps him to balance his commitments as a Soldier-athlete and a family man.
“She is the commander in chief in the house,” he said with a firm nod. “When we sat down and said we were going to go from being civilians to me being in the military, she embraced it. She is the rock. She’s absolutely amazing.”
In addition to taking care of the kids and helping him set a positive example of military Families taking full advantage of the resources afforded them, such as Family Readiness Groups; Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and education incentives, she’s also the one that makes sure his outfits on the golf course match, Whitmore said. Her support has been invaluable, a support he sees mirrored in Fort Stewart and the Army’s FMWR program as a whole.
“They just put in brand new greens, they’ve invested money,” said Whitmore of Fort Stewart. “The Army has taken what they’ve learned from the past and we’re reaping the benefits. So now, as Soldiers, we need to support that. FMWR (funds) don’t just go to one specific place. It’s a collective that goes toward every program; housing, daycare, everything.”
It’s with this mindset that he travels to Fort Jackson to compete. Yes, he enjoys the sport, and yes, he is grateful for the support he receives from his peers, but he also wants to give that support back by leaving a legacy of professionalism and good sportsmanship in his wake, he said.
“That’s what I’ve learned from the Army,” Whitmore continued. “Professionalism. It’s not just about an individual, it’s a team effort. That’s what makes us good. That’s what makes us the best. We care about each other, even when we don’t know each other.”
While he identifies himself as naturally shy, he’s had plenty of practice in navigating the arena of public recognition, greeting strangers and the highest echelons of golf and military service alike. He is a man used to spending countless hours assessing and correcting his performance in his work and as a golfer, a man practiced in the art of competing against himself. His ranking and previous news coverage should be enough to make him readily recognizable in certain circles, but this fact only serves to humble him. Whitmore, for all the praise he’s received over the last six years as a proficient soldier and athlete, is still overwhelmed by the support.
“I want to thank the Garrison commander all the way down to my company commander and my first sergeant and 3rd Sustainment Brigade,” said Whitmore with a trademark grin. “Everyone’s been so supportive. We’re going to try and bring home the gold this year.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2012 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 95547 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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