Professional Golf Lessons Offered in Guantanamo Bay

By Chief Mass Communications Specialist (SW) Bill Mesta, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY (NNS) -- Golfers residing at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba had the opportunity to improve their golf game when a professional golfer visited the base to provide lessons Oct. 14-18.

To help the base residents improve their golf game, Guantanamo Bay's Moral Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office brought Jon Fine, Professional Golf Association (PGA) golf professional, to visit the base for four days beginning Oct. 14.

Fine said he came to GTMO to give free golf lessons to service members and their families stationed on the island. This was his first visit to the naval station.

"It is always exciting to try and teach someone who has never hit a golf ball before and get them to elevate the ball," said Fine.

Fine has been playing golf for 34 years and is currently the manager at the Naval Station Mayport, Fla. golf course.

Fine gave golf lessons, lead a chipping contest and played in a 'beat the pro' tournament with base residents.

"The winners of the chipping contest played nine holes with me," said Fine. "I enjoyed the golf here immensely and as far as giving the lessons, I love to teach. I love to try and help people out."

Fine complimented the naval station on how the golfing facilities were set up more like a service than a business ultimately benefiting the GTMO community.

"If people can pick up the game of golf and recreate out here at the course as opposed to less than positive activities that is a good thing," said Fine.

"To me golf is very much like life," said Fine. "You have good days and you have bad days. Sometimes you feel like breaking every club in your bag. While other days you want to rejoice and think that the game is the most incredible thing that you have ever done in your life."