Free Golf Tournament Helps Troops Reset - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Fort Hood soldiers traded in their humvees for golf carts Friday when they took part in the post's first ever Ben Hogan Classic.

It's part of a whole new tradition on post, and it's all to say thank you for all that they do.

MSG Ryan Little is working on his downswing after three tours downrange.

"This means a lot to me, because I've been in over 20 years, and this is the first time there has ever been an event like this for the troops," said Ryan.

The tournament is a chance for him and his buddies to let loose and get back into the swing of things.

"At a stressful time, when we're winding down from deployments and everything like that, especially on Fort Hood, this is exactly what troops need to get together and unwind," SSG Jeremiah James Winters said.

180 soldiers teed off around 10 a.m..

Some are getting ready to head overseas, and others are getting used to life back home.

"There's a lot of units that are in reset, 16 months ago we had 19 thousand on the post, now we're close to 50 thousand," said BG Dean Milner, Deputy Commanding General for III Corps.

The Ben Hogan Foundation put on the tournament with hopes to continue the tradition for years to come.

"We want to do a day with Fort Hood, just simply to honor the soldier and tell them thank you for their service," said Robert Stennett with the foundation.

There was also a junior clinic for kids, and that quality time with his two boys means the world to Ryan.

"Because you know, the toughest thing on families, obviously, is being places that deploy, so any time we can do stuff like this is very helpful," Ryan said.

The all-day event wrapped up with a dinner for about 400 soldiers and family members.

Then country music sensation Jolie Holliday serenaded them with a free concert.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com