From Cow Pastures To Kosovo: dallas cowboys golf club

On Monday morning May 7, 2012 after breakfast we rounded up the Veteran golfers and spouses/attendants/service doggies, for those who require them, who were staying at the Westin Hotel DFW and loaded them into a bus donated by Dan Dipert Tours & Motorcoaches to head to the Dallas Cowboys Golf Club. A couple of Veterans who lived close enough to drive, fell in behind the bus as we made the short drive from the hotel to the golf course.

Although the weatherman had predicted a 40% chance of rain, the day could not have turned out better; blue skies and puffy white clouds. It was a little warm during the afternoon but cooled off significantly around 5:00 PM when the clouds and a nice breeze rolled in.

Our golfers this year:

The bus rolled up to the entrance of the Club House where, as they stepped from the bus, the Veterans were met by a large contingent of volunteers.

On their way into the Club House the golfers walked underneath the Defenders of Freedom banner as well as banners noting all of the wonderful businesses and individuals who donated so generously in order for the event to take place.

The first stop, once inside the Club House, was registration where each golfer signed in and received what would be the first of many awesome items donated just for them

Registration

After registration those who needed golf shoes were directed to the Pro Shop were the staff made sure to fit them with just the right pair of shoes. The staff at the Dallas Cowboys Golf Club is beyond phenomenal. All of them - the office personnel, Pro Shop staff, golf cart staff, golf course staff, food service staff and, of course, the beverage cart ladies. We can never thank them enough for the respect they always show towards our Veterans. I've never once heard any member of the staff (this is my third year to volunteer for this event) say, "no" when asked for assistance.

Following registration we connected most of the Veteran golfers to their civilian teammates. Not all of the civilians had arrived so we introduced the remainder either on the driving range or at lunch.

Next stop - golf clubs also provided by the Dallas Cowboys Golf Club. Yep, they are just the BEST!!!

Need golf clubs? We've got 'em

Then it was out to the driving range where those who have played golf before (a few of the Veterans had) could warm up and those who had never picked up a golf club in their lives reduced me to tears - like they do every single year - with their tenacity and will to "do this".

Donna Cranston, Steve Blackman & volunteer golf Pro

Steve Blackman, pictured above, has had multiple concussions during deployments. Steve cannot bend over because he gets dizzy and is unable to steady himself well without his walker. He also suffers from intense and constant shaking. Steve was concerned he would not be able to play golf. HOWEVER, with the help of one of the many AMAZING Pro golfers who volunteered their time to work with the Veteran golfers, Steve WAS able to play golf. It was a very emotional experience for many of us and a HUGE milestone for Steve. I am a huge fan of Steve's and cannot tell you how damn proud I am of him for persevering.