Patriotic opening ceremonies feature special guests
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
BETHESDA, Ma. -- At first, the paratroopers looked like gnats against the clear blue sky.
As the five members of the Screaming Eagles parachute demonstration team sailed closer and closer to the first fairway of the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club, though, their presence loomed larger than life. Literally as well as figuratively.
The Screaming Eagles carried golf balls that would be used for the ceremonial first shots to kick off the second edition of AT&T National presented by Tiger Woods. Their journey was much farther than from the helicopter to the ground, though.
Members of the military in Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard the USS Lincoln teed those balls up on their respective bases. The first shots were struck a week ago, and Fred Couples had the final honor off the first tee on Wednesday.
The PGA TOUR star was joined by Maggie Rollins, whose father just returned from Iraq, and Jeff, whose dad is in the Special Forces. Their pop fly and dribble off the tee were greeted as warmly as Couples' drive that split the middle of the fairway.
Several hundred people -- including PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. -- were on hand for Wednesday's festivities.
"It was a wonderfully moving ceremony," Ripken said. "The delivery of the golf balls from around the world by the Screaming Eagles was a wonderful sight, and to see the ceremonial first hit (was really something).
"I'm used to seeing a first pitch, and I think it's easier to throw a baseball about 30 feet than it is to actually hit a golf ball in front of all those people."
Also in the audience was a contingent from the Wounded Warrior Project. Some sat in wheelchairs. Others laid crutches by their chairs or stood bravely on artificial legs. The heartfelt standing ovation that followed their introduction lasted several minutes.
The game's No. 1 player couldn't attend, of course. The recent U.S. Open champ is in Orlando recuperating after last week's reconstructive surgery on the ACL in his left knee.
There was no doubt, though, that Woods would have been pleased by the event held during the pro-am named after his late father, a Green Beret.
"This is truly a privilege for me," Couples said. "I have known Tiger Woods for a long time, and what he did at Torrey Pines was phenomenal. I want to say on behalf of TOUR players how important this event is for us.
"And we wish the men and women of the Armed Forces who serve our country a great appreciation from all of us."
The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet got the crowd in the mood with a medley of patriotic songs -- "Grand Old Flag," "This is My Country" and "God Bless America." A joint honor guard representing all five branches of the military brought in the colors, and Anna Nicholson, a 14-year-old from Bowie, Md., didn't miss a beat in singing the National Anthem a capella.
"I'm standing on the ninth fairway, and they played the National Anthem," first-time AT&T National participant Paul Goydos said, smiling. "I take my hat off to stop. Never had that happen before."
Dan Nevins, the community outreach manager for the TOUR's Golf Course Properties division, was standing with his fellow Wounded Warriors. Nevins lost his left leg when the armored vehicle he was riding in was blown up by an IED. His right leg had to be amputated several months ago, as well.
The Wounded Warriors were instrumental in his recovery, Nevins said.
"These are the people who get guys like myself out of the hospital bed and onto the mountains skiing or on the river rafting or rock climbing -- you name it -- just to prove to yourself that you can do everything you used to do," Nevins said.
"You might have to change some things or have to have some adaptive equipment. I don't have any legs, but I can still play golf. I've whitewater rafted. I've gone snowboarding, wake boarding.
"What the project does is invaluable, immeasurable. I cannot imagine a rehabilitation without it."
While he was at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Nevins met Max Ramsay, an amputee like himself who was one of the Screaming Eagles who performed Wednesday. "And he's back at it," Nevins said proudly. "He's done more than 800 free falls. It's insane."
Nevins helps coordinate the TPC Network's involvement in America Supports You and works with TOUR players who support military charitable initiatives. In the past three years, 60 TPC events held to benefit six ASY groups have raised more than $2.6 million.
"This is great that Tiger and the Foundation continue to honor and support the military," Nevins said. "It feels good. It's Fourth of July week, and we're here in the nation's capital. It's just a perfect scenario."
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