Albany and MCLB leaders square off in Salty Sandbagger | PHOTO GALLERY

ALBANY — Representatives from the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce squared off against representatives from Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany and Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM) during Friday’s Salty Sandbagger golf tournament at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club.

Started in the early 1970s, the Salty Sandbagger is designed as a way to bring business and community leaders together with representatives from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and LOGCOM for some fellowship and friendly competition.

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“This is an annual event and it’s one that we really look forward to,” said Albany Area Chamber of Commerce interim President Barbara Rivera Holmes. “It’s another opportunity for our business community and the Marine Base to just come together, have a good time, a little friendly competition, which is always fun, and just continue to build those strong relationships.”

That relationship has proven to be important for both the base and Albany and the Dougherty County area over the years as MCLB has become one of Dougherty County’s largest employers and an important engine for economic development. Currently MCLB employs nearly 5,000 people and provides an annual economic impact of $1.6 billion.

Additionally, MCLB has also been a source of pride and a beacon of leadership that those with the Chamber consider invaluable for the community.

“The business community recognizes that the Marine Base has a huge economic impact, number one, on the surrounding area of Dougherty County and on Albany,” said Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Chairman Tommy Clark. “Also, when you think about leadership, and leadership in this community, there’s no better example (of that) than what you see at the Marine Base.”

The important role the base plays in Albany is not lost on new LOGCOM commanding general Maj. Gen. Craig C. Crenshaw, who also pointed out that the community’s support, which includes a large civilian workforce on the base, has helped MCLB attain success as an important facility within the Marine Corps.

“If you look at where we are and the contribution that the base makes to the community, as well as what the community makes to the base, it’s one that I think is very closely linked and so we just kind of work with each other,” said Crenshaw. “The level of commitment that I received from our employees on the base, both from the LOGCOM side as well as the base side, I mean they really, I think, appreciate what they’re doing. They understand the value that they contribute to the Marine Corps’ success, and so just to have the opportunity to see that and to witness it is pretty neat.”

While MCLB and the business community have been great partners, there’s no denying that both groups give their all in competition at the Salty Sandbagger as they attempt to bring home the trophy.

“My challenge is to go out there and get a trophy,” Crenshaw said. “Hopefully that will be the outcome today.”

Despite his desire for the base team to bring home the trophy, Crenshaw said the most important thing about the day was having a good time in the spirit of fellowship.

“First of all, at the end of the day, it’s to have fun,” said Crenshaw. “We recognize that somebody’s going to have the trophy, but really it’s to continue building that relationship that’s been there for years. We will have fun and there’s going to be some laughter on the course, but at the end we just want to make sure we have a great time. If we’re fortunate enough to have the trophy on the 18^th hole then I’ll probably be a little happier than the other guy.”

That was not to be the case this time, however, as the chamber ultimately retained the cup at the end of Friday’s action.