After months of planning, coordination, communications and logistics – the experience is over for us, and it’s where the hardwork begins. What we saw/experienced while aboard the USS John C. Stennis will be nearly impossible to put into words or film perfectly.  The people, the sites, the sounds and most importantly, the dedication these men and women have for our country.

To put it bluntly, I work for a company that makes video games and for one week I was a part of one of the most serious and prestigious pieces of the U.S. Military.  When you think about that, it’s downright incredible.

We were there through the dedication of one particular sailor (LTJG Mike Hall) and his ability to coordinate us with the MWR  department aboard the ship – this department is responsible for the morale, wellfare and recreation of over 5,000 sailors.  And I am honored that our Golden Tee game is now a part of that mission and yes, that one game is making a difference for all members aboard the ship.

In the coming weeks, we will begin to piece together our story as best we can, with the aid of hundreds of photos, hours of video footage and words from IT staff (like Sobe and I) who were aboard.  We have interviews with LTJG Mike Hall, we meet many of the hardworking men and women of the Stennis and learn more about their life/duties while underway.  We followed the journey of the game’s installation in the aft deck mess hall, we also kept a diary of our own experiences.  From little things like traversing the endless passage ways and hundreds of ladders on the ship, to poignant reflection on the dedication of the men and women aboard.

We left Chicago excited, yet aprehensive, about the experience – I mean come on, it’s not something we do everyday.  We knew we’d return with cool stories but we’ve returned with something way more.  It’s an overwhelming sense of patriotism, pride and awe.  I only hope that our stories can instill the same in you.  We can’t wait to see.

So tune back here and in the mean time you can read more on our official website www.goldentee.com.

And as I type this on a cold Chicago day, the Stennis is somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, working hard on the start of a long deployment, protecting our country and hopefully, sneaking in a tee time or two of Golden Tee Golf.

- Duffer Dan