“ The values you learn in the great game of golf ( respectfulness , integrity , discipline , taking responsibility , drive , and work ethic ) are also values instilled and refined at the service academies .” |
— TREY OWEN , president and CEO of Planet Fitness , West Point graduate |
Army defeated Navy last fall 7-4 in the annual Star Match between the two academies . |
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ARMY WEST POINT ATHLETICS , ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF CLUB |
gross and net scoring divisions , with tees determined by handicap and age . Thirty-six holes of stroke-play competition between the three academies follows over the next two days . Honorary captains have been named for each squad : Trey Owen and Min Chong ( Army ), Hurley and Ron Cornelison ( Navy ), and Kyle Westmoreland and Dick McConn ( Air Force ).
Renzulli , Hurley and Bruyette are joined by Rich Berglund and Owen on the SAGF board . Berglund helped secure a two-year sponsorship from Callaway Golf , where he is a vice president . Berglund played golf at Alabama and both of his sons played golf at the Air Force Academy . Owen is the president and CEO of Planet Fitness and is a West Point graduate .
“ The combination of West Point and Army West Point golf was profound in shaping my personal values , my relationships and my business career ,” Owen said . “ The values you learn in the great game of golf ( respectfulness , integrity , discipline ,
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taking responsibility , drive , and work ethic ) are also values instilled and refined at the service academies . … I am forever grateful for my experience at West Point , and as such , it ’ s been an absolute pleasure to dedicate time , effort and resources to giving back .”
Army has made 13 NCAA regional appearances since 1989 , with the most recent coming in 2019 . Navy had made seven regional trips in that time , the last coming in 2018 . Both compete in the Patriot League . Though Air Force — which competes in the Mountain West Conference — has never reached an NCAA regional , it won 16 straight Service Academy Classics between 1995 and 2012 , sharing the title with Army in the final event . There are three players with Virginia ties on current service academy rosters : Gary Bullard at Army , and Reece Massei and Andrew Wilkinson at Navy .
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LEFT : Army ’ s Gary Bullard is a VSGA member at Chantilly National G & CC . RIGHT : Players shake hands after Army ’ s win over Navy last fall .
Securing a special venue was a high priority for the SAGF board , and RTJ certainly fits that description . RTJ has hosted several Presidents Cups and will be the host for the upcoming 2024 Solheim Cup . The eventual goal is to move the event to elite courses nationwide .
“ We aim to bring the CINC Cup to top-100 golf courses across the country in years to come ,” Hurley said . “ Playing at top facilities each year for the CINC Cup will deliver an additional recruiting tool to the academies , much like Navy vs . Notre Dame is for Navy football . Having an event on a historic and famed golf course each year will be a feather in the cap for the service academy golf teams .”
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