“I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.”

 —Article I, U.S. Military Code of Conduct

Barry Vermillion

Military families proudly display the blue-star banner signifying a relative in combat. If their veteran is killed in action, the blue star is then covered with the gold star.

On a cold evening in January of 1973, I was standing in a large room inside the Dallas Military Entrance and Processing Station crowded with young men and women. We were facing a small stage with the American flag on one side and the Texas flag on the other.

An army captain stepped behind the small podium, ordered us to raise our right hand, and to state the oath of enlistment by swearing or affirming to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, to obey the orders of the President and lawful orders of the officers appointed over us, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

That included learning and abiding by the Military Code of Conduct.

Some of my brothers and sisters in arms have made the ultimate sacrifice as they stated they would. They gave their life in our defense and now they are gold stars.

The Texas Fallen Soldiers Project is a new nonprofit organization created to provide emotional and social support to those families of military members killed in action. Artist Phil Taylor of Frisco created the Project. He paints a portrait of the fallen hero, which he presents to the family at no cost.

As a fundraiser, the Texas Fallen Soldiers Project Inaugural Golf Tournament will be played Thursday, Sept. 11, beginning with a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start at The Tribute Golf Club in The Colony. The format is a four-member team scramble.

Entry fee is $150 per player and includes green and cart fee, gift bag, entry into a putting contest, long drive competition, closest to the pin contest, and banquet.

Deadline for entry is Sunday, Aug. 31.

For more information and to register, log on to www.TexasFallenSoldiers.com, or call The Tribute Golf Club at The Colony at 972-370-5465.

Bring your kid to the range month

PlayGolfAmerica.com and the U.S. Golf Association’s Family Golf Month designated for July has been extended by North Lakes Golf and Practice Center in Denton through the month of September.

Owner Randy Brittain has designated the entire month of September as “Bring a Kid to the Range Month.”

When you “bring a kid,” buckets of range balls will be half price with the opportunity to receive a one-year subscription to Golf Digest or Golf For Women magazines.

For more information, call North Lakes Golf and Practice Center at 940-381-2700.

DRC Golfer Survey 2008

Be a part of helping us determine how we report recreational golf news by completing our DRC Golfer Survey 2008.

The time needed to complete the survey is approximately five to eight minutes. You don’t have to answer all the questions, but when you submit a completed survey you will automatically be entered into our monthly drawing for a chance to win a box of Nike Golf balls sponsored by WeatherToGolf.com.

GainesvilleMen’s Golf  Association tournaments

The next Gainesville Men’s Golf Association tournament is at the Gainesville Municipal Golf Course and will begin at 1 p.m., Sat., Aug. 16.

The GMGA two-day 36-hole championship individual stroke play tournament will be played at Gainesville Municipal Golf Course beginning with assigned tee times at 8 a.m., Sat., Sept. 6. Golfers will be flighted after the first round.

The second round will begin with assigned tee times at 8 a.m. Sunday.

For association membership and to register for the tournaments call the Gainesville Municipal Golf Course clubhouse at 940-668-4560, or e-mail GMGA President Kevin Gann at ganndolf6603@yahoo.com .

Lake ParkMen’s Golf Association results

Results of the Lake Park Men’s Golf Association tournament played Sunday, Aug. 10, at Lake Park Golf Course are: Gross score -1. Ray Russo, 68; 2. Scott Parker, 70; 3. Jon Albrecht, 71. Net score- 1. Chris Bennett, 66; 2. Ray Loos, 66; 3. Dion Skelton, 69.

Closest to the pin winners are: no. 3- J.D. Elledge; no. 5- Patrick McClain; no. 7- Jon Albrecht; no.15- Mark Smith; no. 17- Bill Lambert.

For membership information and tournament schedule, call LPMGA President Scott Higginbotham at 972-221-3966 or 214-952-9745.

Tyler Leon wins Inaugural Landmark Bank Open at WinStar

Former Oklahoma State University standout Tyler Leon was the winner of the Landmark Bank Open hosted by WinStar Golf Course in Thackerville, Okla. played July 31 to Aug. 2. Leon finished with a 15-under par with a one shot victory over Greg Sonnier.

Low Amateur for the tournament was Robbe Trout of Whitesboro. Robbe finished the tournament with scores of 70-72-69 – 5-under par and tied for 28th. Trout plays collegiate golf for Cameron University.

Other area golfers were T6 Andrew Dresser of Carrollton finishing with 67-66-71—204 T6 winning $2,273.00 and Brad Gibson of Denton finishing with 67-70-72—209 T19 winning $1,213.00.

For more information about the tournament and WinStar Golf Course, contact Russell Bullock at 580-238-8632 or by e-mail at russell.bullock@chickasaw.ne t.

BARRY VERMILLION can be reached at 940-566-6890. His email address is bvermillion@dentonrc.com  . For more area golf news log on to www.dentonrc.com/sports/golf  . If you have any area golf news, events, or want to submit your name for the Golfer Profile, call or email the details to golf@dentonrc.com .