Battle of the Badges Golf Tournament about more than just golf

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – Bent Creek Golf Course hosted its inaugural Battle of the Badges Golf Tournament benefitting the Jackson police and fire departments on Friday.

Course owner and manager Brad Belcaster said the support for the tournament was everything he could have asked for and then some. 

“I think this is a tournament that has the support and will continue to grow in the years to come,” he said. “It’s a great way for us to show our appreciation for what they do and to help raise money for the causes they support.” 

Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs teed it up, as well. 

He said this tournament brings to light the importance of public safety and the role police and fire play in ensuring that safety. 

“The police and fire department mean so much to our community. Public safety is the key priority for our community, and this supports those that support that,” he said.

Hahs said he and the police and fire departments are in constant communication about what’s going on in the community. 

“We’re always in communication about the safety in our city, what’s going on in our city, our schools through the school resource officers. There’s just a lot,” he said. “Really, when you look at the police and fire and the community, they’re intertwined, and that’s what makes it so great.” 

Jackson Assistant Chief of Police Alex Broch said outings like Battle of the Badges are a change of pace as it pertains to the nature of the jobs first responders have. 

“Out here, we get to really see people in a positive nature, and it’s really nice to be able to communicate with them, not have anything bad be in the way and just really focus on the positives,” he said.

The tournament was played in a four-person scramble format. The winner of the traveling trophy was determined by each department’s team score combined with the top four scores in their respective flight. The police department team and its flight narrowly edged out that of the fire department, 310-312.