Thirty-one players tackled slick greens, tighter back-nine fairways and elevated approaches as military veterans earned victories across 10 flights in Oxford, Alabama.
OXFORD, Ala. | VGA Alabama opened the final weekend of its 2026 season with 31 members competing Saturday at Cider Ridge Golf Club, where a demanding back nine tested players across every flight.
The Oxford course offered competitors two distinctly different challenges. Cider Ridge’s opening nine featured wide fairways, manageable rough and room to recover from errant shots. That margin for error largely disappeared after the turn.
On the back nine, narrowing fairways, elevation changes, blind shots and uncertain landing areas forced players to rely on course management and disciplined shot selection. Elevated greens added another layer of difficulty, while a reported copperhead near the No. 10 tee provided one more reason for golfers to avoid the surrounding woods.
Shane Lilly of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, won Veteran B with an 87, while Daniel Evans of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, claimed Veteran C with a 98. Jeremiah Giles of Columbia, Tennessee, recorded a gross score of 90 and a net 72 to secure the Veteran D title.
Justin Turner of Brent, Alabama, won Wounded Veteran A with a 93/89. Matthew Brannon of Boaz, Alabama, captured Wounded Veteran B with a 91/80, and James Hopper of Leeds, Alabama, earned the Wounded Veteran C victory with a 100/82.
Kevin Amos of Bonnerdale, Arkansas, won Senior B with an 89/76, while Patrick Murphy of Montevallo, Alabama, topped Senior C with a 99/79.
Saturday’s Flight Winners
- Veteran B: Shane Lilly, U.S. Air Force, Vestavia Hills, Alabama — 87
- Veteran C: Daniel Evans, U.S. Army, Ocean Springs, Mississippi — 98
- No Handicap: Benjamin Fulham, U.S. Air Force, Prattville, Alabama — 81
- Veteran D: Jeremiah Giles, U.S. Army, Columbia, Tennessee — 90/72
- Wounded Veteran A: Justin Turner, U.S. Army, Brent, Alabama — 93/89
- Wounded Veteran B: Matthew Brannon, U.S. Army, Boaz, Alabama — 91/80
- Wounded Veteran C: James Hopper, U.S. Army, Leeds, Alabama — 100/82
- Senior A: Christopher Miller, U.S. Air Force, Arab, Alabama — 77/71
- Senior B: Kevin Amos, U.S. Army, Bonnerdale, Arkansas — 89/76
- Senior C: Patrick Murphy, U.S. Navy, Montevallo, Alabama — 99/79
Proximity and Long-Drive Winners
- No. 3: Kevin Amos, Bonnerdale, Arkansas
- No. 8: Jeremiah Giles, Columbia, Tennessee
- No. 12: Christopher Miller, Arab, Alabama
- No. 17: Benjamin Fulham, Prattville, Alabama
- Long drive: Dylan Earnest, Alabaster, Alabama
Sunday’s Flight Winners at RTJ Silver Lakes
VGA Alabama concluded its successful 2026 season Sunday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes in Gadsden, Alabama. The final round produced winners across nine divisions:
- Veteran B: Jamarcus Wilson
- Veteran C: Jeremiah Giles
- Veteran D: Jesse Bass
- Wounded Veteran B: Christopher Busby
- Wounded Veteran C: James Hopper
- Female Family: Amy Bearden
- Senior A: Christopher Miller
- Senior B: Anthony Miller
- Senior C: Brian Maxwell
Jeremiah Giles, James Hopper and Christopher Miller each earned their second flight victory of the weekend after also winning Saturday at Cider Ridge Golf Club.
The event represented more than another round on the VGA Alabama schedule. It brought together veterans and military families from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee for a day built around competition, camaraderie and shared experiences.
VGA Alabama thanked Cole and the Cider Ridge staff for their hospitality, course support and lunch. Organizers also recognized Seth, who supplied an air compressor when a spare tire needed attention before the group departed.
Those gestures reflected the community that has become central to VGA events. The stories, jokes, reactions and friendships shared throughout the season continue to demonstrate the organization’s guiding message: It is more than just a game.
With another competitive event completed, VGA Alabama closed its 2026 campaign by thanking every member, volunteer and course partner who contributed to a successful season.
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-- By James W. Thomas
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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