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By Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Several Champions Tour players and their wives took time to visit Hunter Army Airfield on Thursday afternoon, and it was a sight to behold, as the groups met and mingled near two overwhelmingly large Apache helicopters.

After just a few minutes, David Edwards was in the passenger seat, and the four-time PGA TOUR champion and winner of the 2006 3M Championship on the Champions Tour got an introduction to the complicated machine by some of the Army members.

Don Pooley got comfortable in the cockpit of an Apache helicopter. (Chris Condon/PGA TOUR/WireImage)

Don Pooley towered high over the crowd at one point, perched on the side of the helicopter while learning from the experts about the $30 million aircraft.

The others milled about, capturing the attention of groups of soldiers with golf stories. Mike Reid was both a storyteller and a listener, learning about both the soldier's stints in the military and their golf handicaps.

John Harris autographed hats and other memorabilia, as did D.A. Weibring, Jim Dent, John Jacobs and the rest of the Champions Tour players. Bob Murphy joked around and, though shorter than most of the soldiers, stood out in his trademark straw hat amongst the more subdued green uniforms.

The time passed too quickly and even when the group had to leave, the players lingered to sign remaining hats and visit with guys they hadn't yet met. On the way back, Pooley shared his thoughts about the touching experience.

"I'm afraid I got more out of it than they did. They sacrifice so much for all of us," said Pooley. "We were coming to encourage them but they encouraged us."

Pooley had never been on a military base visit with the Champions Tour before, making this a positive new experience for him. The Tour players and wives participate each week in "Giving Back Day," where they go to hospitals, First Tee programs, schools, military bases or other places in the community to spotlight charity partners.

This year a "Birdies for Charity" program at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf was established to benefit the military personnel in the Savannah area. Liberty Mutual Group plans to donate $100 for every birdie on the four par-3 holes and $25,000 for a hole-in-one. Donations will go to the Chaplain's Fund at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart.

"In just four short years, many people and businesses in Savannah have helped us raise over $800,000 for area charities," said Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf Executive Director Tim Iley. "We are proud of the impact we've been able to make in our community and proud to contribute to the Chaplain's Fund at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart."

Charity has always been part of the Champions Tour, as the players enjoy spending time with members of the community and those in need.

"If it helps at all, I love to do it," said Pooley, who was excited, too, that some of the fellows he met at the base might come watch the tournament this weekend. "If they do, I'll throw them a golf ball every chance I get."

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