Fort Bragg’s 11th annual Ryder Invitational Golf Tournament swung into action Saturday.

The two-day event hosted 65 participants, all vying to take home top honor of Ryder Invitational champion and have their name forever added to the tournament trophy in the pro shop.

“This is all about the competition and finding the best golfer on Fort Bragg,” said Robert Taylor, head golf professional and business manager.

The course tournament field is broken down into small, three-member groups. The field is opened to everyone from beginners to advanced players.

“The Soldiers love it,” said Taylor “They talk about it all the time when they come in the pro shop and they get to see the former winner’s name on that trophy that stays in here. It’s bragging rights and that drives a lot of Soldiers to work harder and get better to win.”

The tournament brings many golfers who are repeat players looking to capture their first championship or be the first to hold two championships.

“The first time I won the championship, I felt a lot of pride,” said Juan Sanders, retired Army and 2009 Ryder Invitational winner. “I was the first black champion here and I’m trying to do it again. There has never been a repeat winner on this tournament.”

“I’ve been golfing 20 years,” said Sanders. “The camaraderie and the competition out here is awesome. It’s great because everybody is out here trying to beat each other’s brains out so you have to come with your best game.”

This competition, like all of the rest, was hotly contested, but when it was all done and the scores tabulated, the overall winner was Thomas Falsetto.

In his two-day stretch, Falsetto shot a 76 and 74 for a combined score of 7 over par for the tournament.

“I love that everyone that comes out here has a chance to win,” said Michael Martin, Headquarters and Headquarters, 50th Signal Battalion. “If you think you have game, you can come out here and tee it up.”