Maintenance Group hits hole-in-one with fundraiser

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
  • 433 AW
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND --  The 433rd Maintenance Group could not have asked for a nicer day to launch the inaugural MXG Golf Tournament at the Alsatian Golf Course in Castroville, Texas on April 5. The sold-out tournament, which had 128 players on over 30 teams to reestablish an old 433rd Alamo Wing tradition, rose over $1,300 for the MXG Morale and Welfare Fund.

"It's been more than a decade since the last wing sponsored golf tournament," said Col. Charles Combs, 433rd MXG commander. "The war on terror made it very difficult to continue the tradition. Back then we called it the "Care and Share Tournament," a fund-raiser for our Family Readiness - Care and Share program. Our goal was to resurrect that old enthusiasm, bring back that sense of camaraderie and wing unity."

The participants were current and retired 433rd Airlift Wing members, a 433rd AW Honorary Commander, Gary Cram, aerospace partners from Port San Antonio and other civilian leaders. Proceeds from the tournament will go into a fund to help family members of the Airlift Wing who are deployed.

"The main goal of the tournament is to have it in conjunction with Family Day and not just with MXG involved, but the whole wing," said Master Sgt. Robert Millan, 433rd Maintenance Operations Squadron, and the chief coordinator for the tournament.

"I don't care if the fund gets depleted as long as it helps a family member," Millan said.

The tournament hit its mark of building camaraderie among the participants.

"I think it was a good time," said Chief Master Sgt. Maria Reyes, the 433rd Medical Group senior Air Reserve Technician, and a member of the only women's team in the tournament, the "Air Force Divas," Reyes had not played golf before but enjoyed the experience of meeting other members outside of your unit.

"It was a good idea to go out and spend some time with other wing members and get to know them better because you need to balance your life and work," she said. "The most important aspect is camaraderie, to build relationships with other groups. It was nice to get to know them out of the office and spend time with them."

The tournament was enjoyed by all who attended.

"I had a great time at the tournament," Col. William Blanchette, 433rd Medical Group commander, said. "The course was in outstanding shape, especially after storms we had earlier in the week. The event was superbly organized and run; the cost was very reasonable. You could enjoy it if you are a golfer or not."

"I think we hit it out of the park and far exceeded those expectations with this tournament," Col. Comb said. "I couldn't be any happier."

The top three teams were:

1st place: Victor Abundis, Dan Martinez, Robert Hastie, Jessie Lopez

2nd place: Daryl Bagesse, Louie "Jose" Berlanga, Clint Baker, Sam Greene

3rd place: Easias "Boomer" Montiel, Ralph Tejeda, John Guerrero, Rick Rodriguez