"The Sugar Cookie Open is a special way to share in certain military traditions - specifically those of the Navy SEALs, honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and give back to military veterans and first responders in the local community all while having a lot of fun. The Sugar Cookie Open brings in Navy SEALs from across the country and affords people like me, who didn't serve in this capacity, the opportunity to share in discussions with them and hear their stories about their life experiences. In addition to the option of playing one hole Navy SEAL style, or while wet and sandy, there is also an option of shooting an AR-15 that's been modified to 'shoot' a golf ball and use that shot in place of a drive. This golf tournament is like none other and is something I look forward to each year."
— Rex Schulz MD, Medical Director, Blessing Hospital Laboratory
18 Hole Tournament with a Sandy Twist
During the rigorous, 6-month long Navy SEAL selection course called BUD/S, students are constantly cold, wet, and sandy. This can be the result of many things including being told by an instructor to make a “sugar cookie”.
A sugar cookie is when a student runs, fully clothed to the surf zone and then, wet from head to toe, rolls around on the sand until every crevasse and square inch is covered with sand. From there, the day continues and misery follows.
The Sugar Cookie Open is a standard 18 hole tournament with a twist. Each participant will have the opperTunity to play this exhibition hole for the chance to win a prize and of course bragging rights for life! Water and sand provided. This is spectator friendly event.
"The Sugar Cookie Open is truly unique. It is like no other golf event I've ever heard of or attended. Yes, it's your standard 18 hole scramble but with a twist. The name “Sugar Cookie” comes from some Navy SEAL training where they get wet and covered with sand while dressed in full gear and then have to train rigorously. The twist is that at this tournament the golfer has the option to get doused with a fire truck hose, roll around in a bunch of sand, then run to the tee box and try and hit a golf ball on the green. Risk embarrassment? Yes! A lot of fun? Yes! Memory of a lifetime? Yes! All while supporting something that is the perfect blend of honoring tradition while giving back to veterans and first responders”
— Ben Van Ness, WGEM