Hixson JROTC Instructor competes in Veteran’s National Golf Championship
Posted on 11/06/2018
Master Sergeant Doug BurhansMaster Sergeant Doug Burhans from Hixson High School is representing Tennessee at the Veteran Golfers Association’s National Championship tournament. The tournament winds up play tomorrow at Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.

“It is an honor represent not only the state of Tennessee but the entire Southeast Region in California,” said Master Sergeant Burhans.

Master Sergeant Burhans played in qualifying events that began in March. He participated in the Sub-regional event in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The top 40 golfers in that event qualified for the Super Regional at Bearfoot Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Only the top two in each handicapped flight advanced to the National Championship.

The Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) creates programs that allow members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through the game of golf. Yearly, the association hosts almost 300 local tournaments for thousands of VGA members across the country and concludes in the Veteran Golf Association National Tournament. The organization uses the sport of golf as an alternative therapeutic activity, offering veterans and their families a creative way to deal with the challenges of combat-related injuries and stress that impact their everyday life. Membership is open to all U.S. veterans as well as their family members.

“Just to qualify for this year’s championship is a significant accomplishment for the players, who deserve the spotlight following their service, sacrifice, and patriotism,” said VGA President Joshua Peyton, a retired Army Captain, and Army Ranger.

“I have played sports my whole life, and the excitement of competition is exhilarating,” said Master Sergeant Burhans. “More importantly, I get the opportunity to interact with outstanding men and women who helped protect our freedoms.”

“In the future, as the Tennessee State Director, I hope the become a good ambassador for the VGA and grow Tennessee’s membership,” Burhans added.

Photo: Master Sergeant Doug Burhans, JROTC instructor at Hixson High