Capt. Thomas Riley, the Victim’s Legal Counsel assigned to Headquarters Battalion, swings a golf club during the Commander’s Cup golf tournament at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 11, 2017. The tournament, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services and JN Automotive Group, was open to all service members, Department of Defense employees, civilians and guests sponsored by authorized patrons. Prizes were given out to first through eighth place contestants, and various raffles with prizes were given away. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirk)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirk

DOD members, families and friends participate in Commander’s Cup

16 Aug 2017 | Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirk Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- They came, they saw, they conquered the Commander’s Cup Golf Classic.
Marine Corps Community Services and JN Automotive Group hosted the Commander’s Cup Golf Classic at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Aug. 11, 2017.
The tournament is held four times a year and Department of Defense employees, Service members and civilians can participate in the event.
The money raised from the event goes towards the Morale, Welfare and Recreation funds, according to Bruce Jenkins, the director of military client services for JN Group.
“MWR takes the money and ensures the base has a great gym, golf course and many other things,” Jenkins said. “Anytime we do an event like this, it strengthens the MWR program which gives back to the Marines and their families.”
He said MWR supports not just the Commander’s Cup but other base events throughout the year.
“We at JN Group like to commit to doing all four of the Commander’s Cup Golf tournaments,” Jenkins said. “Every year, I get the opportunity to work with MWR and we develop a contract with the base to support the base for an entire year.”
He added that MWR advertises for the tournament on behalf of the base commander to attract people that live on base and off base.
“The commander recognized the importance of community relations and an event like this,” Jenkins said. “It’s a historic event and it worked so well in the past with this installation.”
Capt. Thomas Riley, the Victim’s Legal Counsel assigned to Headquarters Battalion, participated in the Commander’s Cup. He said the event was a good way to get out and meet people.
“Being at an event like this is fantastic, I get to casually meet people and say, ‘Hey this is who I am and what I do’” Riley said. “And to do that on the golf course is wonderful and I like that aspect of it.”
Upon arrival to MCB Hawaii, Riley said he began to play golf. He added that the sport is a positive activity for Marines and civilians to learn to play.
“I like being outside and competitive,” he said. “The lessons have been wonderful and some people like me don’t figure it out naturally, but if you find someone who can teach you, it makes life so much better when you don’t just hit chunks of grass.”