Our good friend, Dan Boever (REMAX Long Drive Champ, golf entertainer and all around good guy) shares his experiences in Iraq as he takes part in “Operation: FORE the Troops”. They say it’s a trip to “visit the troops” and “entertain”, but we know the governments real motive…it’s Dan’s ability to snipe at 380 yards with a Pinnacle Gold Distance.

“Palace Visit’s and Clinic’s at Camp Victory

This is now our 6^th day into the trip. I have spoken to my wife less than thirty minutes since we left and I think I have spoken to my kids for less than five minutes.  The busy schedule and nine hour time change has made it difficult to communicate.

Our day starts ten minutes from our hotel with a trip to see the “Victory over America” palace. This bombed out monstrosity is located on the grounds of Camp Slayer and could be the single biggest selfish waste of wealth I have ever seen. The area it is located in was a recreational retreat for Iraqi leaders, much like our President’s Camp David.

If you have ever sat in home and cringed during a loud thunder and lightning storm you would not have wanted to be near this place when US Forces decided to give it an “open air” look.

Our second stop was much like the first as we toured the former Ba’ath Party Convention Center. Big Building-Big Holes. It would not have been a good place to be.

Our first clinic would actually be right around the corner from the convention center. MWR (Morale, Recreation and Welfare) had another group of troops set up to watch us hit balls at a building. I didn’t see much grass while there but I did see plenty of water and an abundance of big concrete targets.

Bobby and I made a few more holes while Captain Pavin came up a bit short. Guess who hit it straighter…

Our second stop would be Camp Victory Driving Range. This would prove to be the best golf facility we would encounter. Sgt. First Class Byrd from West Point, GA made sure we had everything we needed and more.

Our man Watson grabbed a three iron that had to be made in 1936 and proceeded to hit balls like it was the latest technology. There may just a reason he has been a champion for so many years.

After Tom, Tim and Corey had done their thing Sgt. Bryd brought his big bad self out in front of the crowd and said we needed to move across the street so some poor private didn’t get bonked on the head.

Hey guess what we got to hit at? Yes, you are correct, more water and another building.  This time it would be the location where Saddam was held.

Bobby got cranking with some tracers and then I took some shots at an open window that was calling my name. I can’t remember if I had permission but Mr. Byrd wasn’t around so what the heck. The troops wanted it and you gotta give the people what they want right?  I hit a bunch of balls close but couldn’t get it done.

Of course, the ever competitive Watson jumped right in to try and get it through. Although close on many, he got no cigar. Then Captain Pavin did his thing and even though he had a few near misses he would come up empty. Then came the ‘Big Dog”, Tim Simpson from Kooterville, GA.  In his hilarious southern drawl he said, “Hellllllll, let me try and hit it through that thar windrr.”  A couple shots later he had knocked it through and the troops went CRAZY! You would have thought it was the Super Bowl. Don’t let these cool tour players fool you, at the core they are just regular folks who want to hit golf balls at windows or anything that might break. God Bless America.

Our night ended with a meet and greet at the Camp Victory Recreation Center. It was a very intimate evening where we signed some autographs, heard some music from Matt Snook, played some pool and best of all we got the chance to speak with troops.

I met a 32 year old former golf pro who enlisted after 9-11. He said he wanted to find a way to do his part. He spent 15 months in Iraq, was home for the same amount of time and then re-deployed back to Iraq. At home are a wife and two children, ages 12 and 9. My heart went out to this young man knowing how much time he had been away from those he loves the most.

I asked what people like me could do to help and he said, “The families back home are the real heroes. The spouses and kids who have to do it all are the ones who really need our help.”  He went on to say, “When people ask if they can send something I tell them to send it to my wife and children. A gift or a note of encouragement goes a long way.”

Wow. He was just making a comment but I take it as a challenge to see what I can do to help families in the same way I would want mine to be helped.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am already very thankful.

Thanks for following along.

Learn more about Dan at his website DanBoever.com

Our good friend, Dan Boever (REMAX Long Drive Champ, golf entertainer and all around good guy) shares his experiences in Iraq as he takes part in “Operation: FORE the Troops”. They say it’s a trip to “visit the troops” and “entertain”, but we know the governments real motive…it’s Dan’s ability to snipe at 380 yards with a Pinnacle Gold Distance.

“Today started to the sound of machine gun fire. Yeah, just a normal day for me off in Southwest Missouri.  I have come to expect seeing a lot of things that are out of my daily norm.

As I peeked out through my curtains I could see a fog hanging over the lake and I ran out to get some pictures. It was so beautiful to see. I almost forgot for a few seconds I was 7000 miles from home.

We started our day at headquarters meeting again briefly with General Anderson and then we got to go to General Odierno’s office to get a short brief on the progress that has been made in Iraq over the past two years.  The passion in General Odierno’s words were very moving. I really just sat there dumfounded at being in his office listening to him. He ended the meeting by presenting us with a gift and few times in my life have I felt more humbled.

We then drove to meet up with two Black Hawk helicopters to start our journey for the day. It would consist of three stops Southeast of Baghdad.

I gotta tell you, it was a bit freaky seeing the gunners sitting there looking out the windows with machine guns ready. We all just sat and looked out across the city and then the countryside as we flew about 20 minutes to FOB (Forward Operating Base) Hammer.  Shortly before we got to Hammer we flew over an area that could have passed for an area right outside St Louis. I looked and saw a river and lush green fields. Corey said when they were there two years earlier they never would have flown directly over Baghdad. He said they would have had to fly way out of the way and do a bunch of zig zags. I am very glad for the change.

As we got near Hammer you could see the wall that surrounds the entire location. It is a massive complex and I can’t imagine anyone jacking with them out there. I picture it next to impossible to sneak up on that place.

When we landed at Hammer we met the leadership, ate and then headed to the driving range. The range is a big open field with some signs measuring distance every 50 yards.   At one point I was going to go out and try and film the balls landing but thought maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. I really caught myself watching where I walked on much of the trip. It is not like I was out in the dangerous areas but I wasn’t gonna take any chances.

We all hit some shots and the troops again had the chance to listen to long time greats Watson and Pavin do their thing. They are both so approachable for the troops and I have really enjoyed seeing them interact with all the men and women in uniform.

As we ended our clinic, fellow world long drive champion Bobby Wilson took a shot at hitting a ball through the driving range sign. The width of the sign wasn’t a problem but we both learned a valuable lesson in physics.  If there is a plastic cover over the wood, you probably don’t want to try and hit a ball through it. Check that, you definitely don’t.

The Black Hawks were headed back so we said our goodbyes and headed out to our next stop at Camp Carver. We would be in for one of the highlights of the trip for me.

The time we spent at this next location proved to be one of the highlights of the trip for me. I will have more to come about the studs at Camp Carver.

Thanks for following along.

Learn more about Dan at his website DanBoever.com

Our good friend, Dan Boever (REMAX Long Drive Champ, golf entertainer and all around good guy) shares his experiences in Iraq as he takes part in “Operation: FORE the Troops”. They say it’s a trip to “visit the troops” and “entertain”, but we know the governments real motive…it’s Dan’s ability to snipe at 380 yards with a Pinnacle Gold Distance.

Sunday started a bit earlier than I was hoping. After going to bed three and a half hours earlier the 3:30 wakeup call was not something I was anxious to take part in.  I know, what a baby.  We rolled out of Arifjan at 4AM and headed out for the hour and a half trip up the road to a camp I can’t remember. I just remember mean looking guards at the gate and that it was very dark.

It was there we got on a C130 to fly to Baghdad. Before we boarded the plane they told us it was time to put on our vest and helmet.  Prior to leaving on the trip I had to sign a release that said if anything bad happened I was responsible for any and all issues that may come out of being injured, or worse. Putting on the helmet and vest brought me a small step closer to the realization that something bad was a possibility. Seeing the soldiers in the back of the plane eye balling the ground looking for enemy fire as we flew didn’t make me feel much better.

I gotta tell you, any soldier who has flown more than two hours on a C130 is a hero in my book. If someone has flown over ten hours (which I know many have) then they deserve some type of medal and extra pay for life. If you are claustrophobic it is the not the place to be. Sitting sideways and not being able to look out the windows made me try and find my “happy place”. On the flight with us were fifteen or so soldiers and three senators with their thirty two aides.

During the flight I got the opportunity to go to the flight deck and hang out with the crew. There were four young men in command and all of them would be carded at any bar they tried to enter. Total age was less than 100.

It was freaky to think as we flew I was looking down over the country of Iraq. How in the world did I get to the place in my life where I would be standing in the front of a C130 looking down from the heavens at this place. It sure was a long way from where I grew up in little Remsen, IA.

We flew into Sather Air Force Base (I actually wrote the name down this time) and immediately went to a meet and greet with the troops. They were all so very kind and I even met one who lives in Le Mars, IA.  Le Mars is a mere 10 miles from that very same Remsen. Small World.

We then got into the armor plated vehicles and drove to the JVB Hotel located on Camp Victory. I understand it was actually a palace originally built for Saddam Hussein’s oldest son.  It is very impressive size wise. I imagine you could comfortably house a family of 100 in here. It would be my first of many eye openers to the lavish waste of wealth from Saddam.

We threw our bags down and fifteen minutes later we met more troops out on the back patio. This time we would do it with clubs in hand. They set up some mats and we proceeded to smash balls out into a lake that runs right up to the palace. It was a lot of fun with the guys hitting skippers and moon balls. At one point Corey Pavin jumped in to hit off my waste high tee. He hit it like the pro he is, perfect. Then Tom Watson said he wanted to try it. The results were not quite as good as Corey’s. Tom hit under it and made the ball shoot straight up off the overhanging roof. The ball ricocheted off three pillars, two soldiers and a bench before rolling into the water. The soldiers went crazy with laughter and Tom just smiled and said, “Gimme another one!”

When we finished we went to the room for six minutes and got ready for our evening plans. First would be a meeting with Multi-National Force Chief of Staff Brigadier General Joseph Anderson and then we would dine with Multi-National Task Force Commander, General Raymond Odinerno. All I can say is-VERY COOL.

Mr. Anderson was very welcoming and spoke with us about progress they have made in the last two years. As I listened to him and watched him all I could think was, this is excellence in action. And…I would not want to jack with this guy!

We were then shuttled to the home of General Odierno.  As we spoke it was mind boggling to comprehend this man I am speaking with is a very powerful four star general.  It was such an honor to be with him and to be part of the evening.  Also in attendance were numerous other generals. All of them were nothing but classy. I nearly cried as I looked around the room and pondered the years of sacrifice and service these men and their families have dedicated to our country and its citizens.

After dinner we headed to the back patio for some golf. Balls started flying into the night as we tried to hit a nearby building.  Even though these men are disciplined professionals they are still men and the thought of knocking a ball off the side of a building was more than they would stand.

Monday November 23 was officially in the books and it was indeed a good day.

Learn more about Dan at his website DanBoever.com