MAMARONECK, N.Y. (May 25, 2012) - Lieutenant Colonel Tyler Zagurski of Mercer Island, Wash., doesn't play as much golf as he'd like to. Most of his time and energy is invested in his role as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines division. Even when Zagurski—whose military career spans over 21 years—found out that the membership of Winged Foot Golf Club invited his regiment to a golf outing at their storied venue, there wasn't much celebrating. He got right to work. It's the Marine in him.

"I had to get on Google and look up Winged Foot," he admitted. "I was familiar with it, all the U.S. Opens. And I knew it was great club, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I was a little intimated at first, but I can honestly say this has been a tremendous event, everyone has been so welcoming, and the course couldn't have been more impressive.

"I just wish my caddie was still here so I can apologize for making him run all over the course to look for my ball."

Zagurski and several dozen active military men and women participated in the 2012 Fleet Week Invitational. Now in its third year,  the event features a day of golf on either the East or West Courses, lunch, cocktails, and special 9/11 memorial tribute. Winged Foot member Peter Sweetser, who chairs the event, says it's crucial for other members to give back to the active military troops, whether it's a day of golf at their club or to provide mentorship and assistance for soldiers in need. He had each Marine jot down their email address so they can keep in touch with the each of the members they played with.

"It's really important that we're able to reach back to the Marines after they've left here," Sweetser said. "What I hope that comes from this is a bond. That we develop a relationship with each of the sailors and Marines so that when they need a little help, a mentor or just some advice, that they'll reach back to some of the members at Winged Foot."

Sergeant Major David Jobe of Plano, Texas, one of the highest ranking officials in Marines, was blown away by not only the course, but the way they were treated by the club.

"We had all such a great time," he said. "To come out here and be treated like kings is not something done to us very often. You ask any Marine and they’ll say they’ve never seen anything this special.

"The Marine Corps is based on history and tradition and that’s what we live by, so to come into a golf club like this and seeing the old lockers, seeing the history and traditions, hearing about Mickelson’s collapse on 18 and then to experience it, it was just awesome."

Winged Foot wasn’t the only Met Area club to host a special day for members of the armed forces. Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale, N.J, hosted a Day of Gratitude for Iraq and Afghanistan active duty U.S. military heroes with championship golf and a day of luxury and leisure on May 24.

If your MGA member club also catered to active military officials during Fleet Week, email letters@mgagolf.org and tell us about it.