An Outstanding Day at the Outpost

February 19, 2010

By Captain Daren Mairs, United States Air Force

Editor's Note: Captain Daren Mairs is stationed at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in nearby Tucson, Ariz. Taking advantage of the Birdies for the Brave Outpost at this week’s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Mairs spent a sun-drenched day watching some of the world’s best golfers. This week he’s among active-duty and retired military personnel who have arrived at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain as honored guests of the PGA TOUR. Captain Mairs took a few minutes to share some comments about his Friday experience watching third-round action from the first World Golf Championships event of 2010.

MARANA, Ariz.—It’s been a great day at the Accenture Match Play Championship. I’ve never been to this tournament before, and I’ve only been to one other PGA TOUR golf tournament, in Phoenix, when I went to the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

I would have to say I’m probably the biggest golf fan you could ever find. I was planning on taking leave today to come and watch golf. Then I got an e-mail on base from our PR department letting us know that because we are part of the military, we were welcome to come. I read a little more and found out the PGA TOUR was offering free admission. You can’t beat that, especially since I was planning on paying.

I haven’t had one particular player I’ve been watching. It’s just great to see so many great players and to be in such a beautiful place. I’m just out here to watch some really good golf, and I have to say I’ve been really happy with what I’ve seen. It’s been fun to see some of the new guys taking out some of the bigger names earlier in the week. And now with Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink and Sergio Garcia still alive, it’s been great watching them warm up getting ready for their matches. I think some good golf is in store for us today.

Everything is first class here. The Outpost couldn’t be in a better location on the course, and it’s easy to get to about six different holes without having to walk too far. The weather is beautiful, the golf is great and you can always go back whenever you want for free food and drink. What more could you ask for?