Sail Ho Golf Club (The Loma Club)

Sail Ho August1986

5.0 of 5 starsReviewed November 23, 2025

I was awaiting orders that stationed me on the Kidd Class destroyer USS Callaghan. I had a few weeks to burn, so after cleaning duties, I tried golf for my first time. Every hole was par 3. I remember another golfer caught up to lousy-at-golfing me and told him to play on through. He said, "That's okay. Let's see your swing."

I never caught his name but we golfed that day together as he gave me pointers. It was a wonderful experience.

Another great experience, one day while there, they asked for volunteers. Reluctantly, we all agreed. They took us to a police academy to "play" bad guys for new students. They gave us a pack of rolling papers and said, "Hide these on your person." We did. They gave us weapons. I was given a pistol. Then we went out to the parking lot. They said, "Hide or run, go."

We split up. I stashed my pistol on top of a tire and started climbing a fence with barbed wire on top - I was not going to try that barbed wire, but I was told to freeze, and got cuffed and they found my pistol and my rolling papers.

I really enjoyed the two weeks waiting for the Callaghan to come back to port. The golf was the best and I kept at it for years.

Thank you to the golf expert that offered solid advice! I had rather dropped out of electronics school and was anxious to get out to sea - but I admit, that first watch at sea, as land left our sight, that was scary. Without a crew, a good watch, a good compass and star and ocean charts, I'll address my. cravings to be at sea on tiny local lakes.:)