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Retired duo tosses helping hand into base disc golf

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Retired Air Force couple Johnny and Patricia Broshears have committed their retirement to traveling. They have visited 49 of the 50 states in America and spent time on more than 85 military installations. Of all their stops, they have made one Air Force base their home.

"Grand Forks is the only base we come back to," said Johnny, who along with his wife has spent the past five summers camping here. "This is by far the best place to come because of the people. You're not going to find another place with hospitality like this."

Johnny and Patricia have a lot in common. Both are retired master sergeants who served more than 20 active duty years and shared the same job as chaplain assistants during their time in the Air Force. But it is their newly acquired love for the game of disc golf that makes their Northern summers unique.

Disc golf, also known as Frisbee golf, is a sport where players use a flying disc and attempt to hit a goal in the fewest amount of throws possible.

Patricia said it was about a year ago when they heard about the game and "figured we'd give it a shot."

Eighty-two courses across the country and countless rounds later, the Broshears have found their niche.

"We average 36 holes a day," said Johnny, whose personal best at the Grand Forks course is a 2-under-par 25.

The Broshears said the nine-hole base course is not only their favorite course, but the nicest course they've played on.

That is thanks in very large part to their selfless efforts.

At the beginning of the summer, the couple went through the course and trimmed all the trees and mulched the base of every goal. They also have a carrier on their disc golf bags to pick up trash around the base each round they play - which averages four per day.

"We try to take care of the course," said Johnny. "We just want it to be clean and enjoyable for everyone."

"What a great act of kindness," said Carol Muir, Fitness Center director here. "I was really touched that they would take their own personal time to clean up and take care of the course."

The couple have become regulars on the base, and voiced their appreciation for the friendly atmosphere at Grand Forks.

"From the lowest ranking Airman to the highest, the way people are treated doesn't get any better than this," said Johnny. "We've been blessed to be able to experience it all."

"It says a lot for Grand Forks Air Force Base and its people that the Broshears return every year to call this place home," said Muir.

The disc golf course is open to anyone with base access. For more information, call the Fitness Center at 747-3384.