PGA champions visit Pentagon

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Members of the Professional Golfers Association and their spouses toured the Pentagon and Walter Reed Army Medical Center here Sept. 17 as part of their visit to the nation's capital.

Tom Lehman,captain of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team, and several other leading PGA members visited with Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, assistant vice chief of staff and director, Air Force staff. 

Even though the visit took place over a weekend, the Pentagon is a "city that never sleeps," and they were able to walk through the historic building, viewing various military displays and artwork.

PGA of America Executive Director Joe Stranka thanked General Lichte for the tour of the Pentagon. 

"It is a dream come true to visit the Pentagon," Mr. Stranka said. "It is our pleasure to come here and see what you do and I'm glad we had the opportunity."

Mr. Lehman will lead the U.S. Ryder Cup team in competition against the European team Sept. 22 through 24 in Ireland.

General Lichte said he always enjoys welcoming visitors to the Pentagon.

"It really doesn't matter if they are celebrities or not, the reaction is almost always the same," he said. "As Americans, they are always interested in learning how their military works, and they gain such valuable insight and knowledge from coming here to the headquarters."

A fan of golfing, General Lichte said he sees a lot of similarities between the group and those in the military.

"Mr. Lehman will soon be taking his team to Ireland and act as U.S. ambassadors, similar to what we (in the military) do every day," he said. "He and his team strive for excellence every day, just like we do."

After visiting the Pentagon, the group went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit with injured servicemembers and their families.