Airmen tee off to represent Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  The best Air Force golfers competed in the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship Sept. 16 through 19 at Carolina Lakes Golf Course on Shaw Air Force Base.

A total of 38 players from Air Force bases all over the world competed in a four-round golf tournament to determine who would represent the Air Force at this year's Armed Forces Tournament in Oceana, Va., Sept. 23 through 26.

"The tournament is played every year, but the course the tournament is played on changes," said Tim Smith, the 20th Services Squadron Carolina Lakes Golf Course golf manager. "This year, our golf course was chosen and it is a great opportunity for Shaw to be able to take part in such a huge event."

The top six male and top three female players from this championship will represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Tournament.

The winner's were:

-- Chief Master Sgt. Mark Gardiner from Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

-- Airman 1st Class Jonathan Hanner from Offutt AFB, Neb.

-- Master Sgt. Michael Batten from Randolph AFB, Texas.

-- Capt. Geoffrey Mann from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

-- Master Sgt. Joseph Eccleton from Whiteman AFB, Mo.

-- Tech. Sgt. Jason Perry from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

-- Capt. Linda Jeffery from Offutt AFB.

-- 1st Lt. Maria Gronning from Buckley AFB, Colo.

-- 1st Lt. Lori Bartz from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.

Sergeant Eccleton had to withdraw from the Armed Forces Championship, so 1st Lt. Ryan King from Barksdale AFB, La., who was the first alternate, will play in the sergeant's stead.

"This is the sixth time I have taken part in this tournament and have been able to move onto the Armed Forces Championship four times," Captain Mann said while playing on the 10th hole. "I like Shaw's course. The par-3s are a little tough, but the par-5s are scoreable."

The top players from the Armed Forces Championship will go on to represent the U.S. armed forces in a world military tournament in Sun City, South Africa, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 6. 

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