University News

Golf Tournament Honors Former ROTC Cadet Killed in Afghanistan

By Matt Kelly, mkelly@virginia.edu

April 5, 2024

Golf green with mountains in the distance

This year, the R.J. Hess Memorial will be a golf tournament at Meadowcreek Golf Course in Charlottesville’s Pen Park. (Photo by Matthew McBrayer)

For the 11th year, the University of Virginia’s Army ROTC program will host a memorial fundraiser for one of its own.

The R.J. Hess Memorial Golf Tournament will be held April 20 at 9 a.m. at Meadowcreek Golf Course in Charlottesville’s Pen Park in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Joseph “R.J.” Hess, who died in combat in Pul-e-Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2013.

Each year, the Cavalier Battalion holds an event to honor Hess, who in 2010 was commissioned as an aviation officer from UVA’s Cavalier Battalion. (In previous years, the battalion had hosted a run in his memory.) The funds raised go to a charity selected by the Hess family. This year’s charity is the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.

The 18-hole tournament, with a shotgun start, will have teams of four with solo entrants placed on random teams. The entry fee – $70 for students and $80 for non-students – covers 18 holes, a cart and range balls.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Joseph “R.J.” Hess was killed in combat in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2013. (Contributed photo)

“We are shooting for 18 teams of four each, but would love to get more, in which case we would start multiple teams at the quicker holes,” Army ROTC Cadet 2nd Lt. Henry E. M. Pryor said.

Cadets will sell food and beverages. Prizes, donated by local businesses, will be awarded to team and category winners.

“Due to R.J.’s passion for helping animals, we believe that donating to a local animal shelter is one way that we can honor his legacy,” Pryor said. “R.J. Hess made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his country. By hosting an event in his name each year, we hope to honor his sacrifice as best we can by raising and donating money in a way that we know he would be proud of.

“This weekend also gives us a moment to reflect on our freedoms and think about those who have died so that we can enjoy the lives that we have here in the United States,” he said.

Pryor said donations can also be made to the CASPCA in Hess’ memory.

Hess was a 2005 graduate of Robinson High School in Fairfax, where he played football and lacrosse and captained the swimming team. He attended the Army’s Basic Officer Leader Course and flight school in 2011.

In the Army, Hess received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator Badge.