MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Service members and civilians competed in the annual Ordnance Golf Tournament at Torii Pines Golf course here March 5.
The three-man team that won first place consisted of Gunnery Sgt. Bryan J. Rupple, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 power plants production control staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Staff Sgt. Steve A. Navar, MALS-12 Individual Material Readiness List staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, and Romell Nakanish, a Torii Pines employee.
“I think all the teams were four-man teams except our team,” said Rupple. “It was the first time all three of us had ever played together like that.”
The tournament consisted of about 16 teams and was organized into a four-man scramble where each team consisted of about four players.
In order to win, each player on the team started out by hitting a shot. The best drive out of those players marked the spot for the next shots and so on until the ball went into the hole.
Each team kept a score card, and the team with the lowest number of shots won the tournament.
“It’s a chance for people to get out here and show their stuff,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Rios, event coordinator and aviation technician with MALS-12 here.
Every year, Ordnance puts together the annual golf tournament to raise money for the aviation ordnance birthday party in celebration of the founding of its occupational field April 25, 1922. This year, more than $900 was raised.
“It’s just a time for all the aviation ordnance Marines and sailors to get together to reflect on the camaraderie and the Marines and sailors that we have lost,” said Rios.
Each player paid a $25 entry fee to raise the money in addition to grass fees and equipment rental if the players did not have any.
Raffle tickets were available for purchase in order to give attendees a chance to win prizes, including golf balls, a
brand new Nike Dymo driver and other golf equipment.
Hamburgers, chips and soda were also served before the tournament began.
“Ordnance, in nature, is a tight community,” said Rios. “We also had some Japanese nationals out here. It’s just a chance for everyone to get out here and have a good time.”
For information about grass fees, equipment rentals or upcoming tournaments at the Torii Pines Golf Course, call 253-3402.