Golf
Veterans Day tribute: Golf student plays 11 rounds of golf in 11 hours

In honor of Veterans Day this 11/11/11, a local golfer is hitting the links for a marathon day of golf, attempting 11 rounds in 11 hours.

Mark Chapman, a Golf Academy of America student, began his day at sunrise on the Waterway Hills Golf Course in Myrtle Beach and will play through the day. His efforts are going to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the Salute Military Golf Association.

Chapman is a 21-year Air Force Veteran and has been a part of several military campaigns, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

To complete his 198 holes by sunset, Chapman will have to play 18 holes at a pace of 58 minutes per round. He will use only his driver, 3-wood, hybrid, 7-iron, two wedges and a putter today.

Chapman will be playing on Waterway Hills‘ Oaks Nine course, completing the course 22 times to equal 11 rounds of golf.

To help him cover the 38.5 miles of golf, he’ll be riding in a E-Z-Go golf cart, a street-legal cart that reaches up to 28 miles per hour.

The Wounded Warrior Project helps injured military personnel and their families when they return from combat. They offer various programs to assist wounded soldiers with coping skills and rehabilitation as well as connecting them with their peers through a mentoring program.

The Salute Military Golf Association provides rehabilitative golf experiences for wounded veterans. They provide golf clubs, lessons and specialized equipment for veterans injured in combat.

If you’d like to support Chapman’s causes, consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Salute Military Golf Association.

The event is sponsored by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.