Chamber takes back Salty Sandbagger trophy

ALBANY — After a decisive 18.5 point-8.5 point victory in the spring edition of the twice-annual Salty Sandbagger golf outing, golfers representing Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany and Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM), were unable to hold off players representing the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce at Wednesday’s fall Sandbagger outing at Doublegate Country Club.

The chamber team played its way to a 22-8 victory in the match play style event Wednesday, thus enabling the organization to carry bragging rights, and the Salty Sandbagger trophy into the holiday season.

Despite fierce competition, the good-natured spirit of the sandbagger was alive and well as base representatives and members of the Albany/Dougherty County business community were able to enjoy each other’s company and continue to strengthen the bond between the two groups.

“The Albany Area Chamber has a decadeslong partnership with the Marine Corps Logistics Base and a relationship that allows us to work together in ways that benefit our community,” said Albany Area Chamber President Barbara Rivera Holmes. “The Salty Sandbagger is a friendly competition that’s all about camaraderie and strengthening that relationship. The competitive banter leading up to the tournament is always great fun.”

That relationship is vital to the community as the military installation is one of Dougherty County’s most important economic engines. The base employs more than 5,000 people and provides an estimated annual economic impact of more than $1.6 billion.

“The relationship between the base and the community is critical,” Holmes said.

The Salty Sandbagger, which has been played twice a year at different courses throughout Albany since the 1970s, allows Marines and civilian Marines a chance to experience Albany’s diverse golf tracts while also giving them a chance to get to know some of the local people who have become their friends and neighbors.

“This biannual competition really helps our military family continue to build on our strong relationships that already exist with the business community,” said Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer of MCLB. “It’s just another way for us to get together and fortify the camaraderie that has been in place for decades.”