The Source for Navy News
35th Ryder Cup Matches Hosts TR Sailors
Story Number: NNS041004-08
Release Date: 10/4/2004 6:43:00 PM
By Journalist 3rd Class Camy L. Thompson, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (NNS) -- Sailors stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) took part in the opening ceremonies of the 35th Ryder Cup Matches at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Sept. 16 and raised the national flags of all participating countries.
More than 40,000 golf fans gathered outside the Oakland Hills Country Club to watch the opening ceremonies, which conclued with an F/A-18 Hornet flyover by Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 assigned to TR’s Strike Group.
The U.S. flag and anthem were last to be presented, and TR’s own Command Master Chief Beth Lambert was given the honor.
“It was such an honor to be at this event and to represent our ship and our country,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Benjamin Wallace. “To have two of our FA-18s fly over and our commanding officer giving the speech was truly amazing for me. The part that really moved me the most was watching the command master chief raise the American flag with our national anthem playing and the crowd all around us.”
After the opening ceremonies, TR’s Sailors were given full credentials for the matches so they wouldn’t miss a shot. For some of the Sailors this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Watching the opening ceremonies and being a part of them was fantastic,” said Dental Technician 3rd Class Brian Fox. “Meeting Ben Taylor and Alison Krause was a neat experience. Just to see some of the people that were there was remarkable.”
“It was such an honor, it just gives you goose-bumps,” Fox said. “There is nothing that compares to the feeling you get being amongst a crowd in uniform.”
TR’s Sailors also had a chance to rub shoulders with some of golf’s finest players and even a few celebrities."
“Fans from all parts of the globe stopped our Sailors and personally thanked them for all they do, a lot of hand shaking and pats on the back,” said Chief Postal Clerk Thomas Wilson. “We were fortunate to personally meet some very famous personalities such as Donald Trump, Kathy Ireland, Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, Head Coach Larry Brown, Samuel L. Jackson, Angie Everhart, Chaka Kann, Alison Krause, the Funk Brothers Band and many of the world's best golfers from both the U.S. and the European teams.
"It was something that as a golfer, I will cherish forever," Wilson continued.
The Ryder Cup was founded by Samuel Ryder in 1927 and has for the last 22 years and 11 competitions been won by Europe six times, the United States four times and one tie.
This year’s matches held special meaning, as they were the first played on U.S. soil since the Sept. 11 attacks.
For related news, visit the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn71.
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