SAVANNAH, Ga. - The bullhorn bellowed across the course, signaling the start of 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment's second ever Squadron Golf Scramble. As the horn's echo faded into the distance, the first swings were taken and the organization's competition was officially underway, Aug. 29.
“We held a golf competition right before we deployed,” said the squadron's Command Sgt. Maj. Kerry Dyer. “But what we are doing now, following the deployment, is a little more important than the one we held last year because we are now trying to combine the squadron back together and build more cohesion between the 'rear-d' and forward guys, and also the tremendous amount of new people within the squadron. This gives the guys an opportunity to get together, have fun and play a few games.”
The event was designed to put everyone in a relaxed state, no uniforms, no details needing to be done, just one day to focus on the core of any unit- its soldiers.
“Team building doesn't stop just because the deployment is over,” said the squadron's commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Jones. “We want to continue to reintegrate and put the squadron back together again, and we could not have gotten a more beautiful day to do it!”
There was a tangible level of competitiveness amongst the four-man teams playing the 18-hole course.
“This gives me an opportunity to mix it up with people I don't normally get to work with everyday,” said Spc. Derrick Smoot, a signal systems support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Sqdn., 7th Cav. Regt. “But I am really out here to see if I can beat the 1st sergeant.”
More than 100 soldiers occupied the expanse of Taylor's Creek Golf Course for the whole day, and prizes were given out to first, second and third ranking teams.
With a hint of laughter, Dyer closed out the day by joking that all the best deals are made on a golf course. As everyone finished up the course and the golf carts slowly filled back into their spots, it was clear that, at least for one day, everyone really did get the best deal.