Luke Airmen spend day golfing with a legend

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Hummel
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - --  Imagine spending a day with sports legend, Wayne Gretzky.

Four Airmen from Luke received that opportunity Tuesday. The Phoenix Coyotes held a charity golf event and auctioned off slots to play 18 holes with members of the team. The winning bidder donated $30,000 but gave his prize, four slots in the best ball tournament, to Luke members who have recently deployed or who are about to deploy. Capt. Bruce Ropte, 56th Medical Group; Chief Master Sgt. Bryce Maxson, 56th Communications Squadron; Senior Airman Ross Danaher, 56th Services Squadron; and Staff Sgt. Andrew Tischler, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, were the recipients of the gift.

It was a cool, slightly breezy October morning. The Luke Airmen stood outside the Legend Trail Golf Club in Scottsdale where they met their fifth teammate, hockey legend Gretzky.

"Good morning guys," he said. Gretzky is the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes and was a professional hockey player from 1978-1999. He is considered the greatest to have ever played the sport.

"Yes!" was Airman Danaher's first thought when he learned he was on Gretzky's team.

Before hitting the links, Gretzky handed out cigars and Wayne Gretzky Foundation golf balls, and posed for group photos. The members were discussing handicap when they arrived at the first hole.

"I usually shoot 18 over" Wayne said to his team. He ended the hole with a birdie, which prompted Airman Danaher to respond, "Yeah, I'm not buyin' that 18 handicap mess you just handed us."

Gretzky, also known as "The Great One" responded, "Ah, I got lucky." As the day continued, it appeared his "luck" would rub off on his teammates. Captain Ropte chipped a shot onto the third green which landed feet from the hole.

After the shot he said, "I've been in the desert for 10 months; I thought I'd be a bit rusty." While golfing, the team reflected on the anonymous person who donated the round of golf. "I'm very thankful," Sergeant Tischler said. "This is wonderful; it's not every day you get to do something like this."

Gretzky told his team that he thought the idea of playing with them was great, and told them how he enjoyed the day. 

The team closed the day out as they had started -- with Chief Maxson putting a birdie. The team finished above Gretzky's expectations. After finishing the first nine holes five under, they ended the day 15 under par, with a final score of 57. They tied for fifth out of 36 teams.