LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
More than 30 Airmen from around the world came to the Eaglewood Golf Course to compete in the 2010 Air Force Golf Championship hosted by Langley Air Force Base Saturday through Tuesday.
The competition had 29 males and three females playing for a spot on the Air Force team that will compete against sister services in the Armed Forces Golf Championship.
The overall winner for men was 2nd Lt. Thomas Whitney from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., with a total under par score for the four-day competition of 279. The overall winner for women was Linda Jeffery from Offutt AFB, Neb., with a total score of 297.
"The 72-hole competition is a precursor to the Armed Forces Championship that will be held at Langley next week," said Karen Elgin, Eaglewood assistant manager. "From this competition, the top six men and three women will move on to compete against the Army, Marines and Navy golfers."
As a result of the tournament outcome, the Air Force team to compete in the Armed Forces Golf Championship is as follows:
Men's team:
Thomas Whitney, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Mark Gardiner, Scott AFB, Ill.
Jason Perry, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Michael Membrila, Hill AFB, Utah
Brent Will, Middletown Air National Guard, Penn.
Bret Robinson, Randolph AFB, Texas
Women's team:
Linda Jeffery, Offutt AFB, Neb.
Bai Zhu, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
Tracie Tolbert, Thompson Field, Miss.
The tournament brought players from around the world and included an array of ranks that ranged from junior enlisted Airmen to lieutenant colonels.
To be selected to play at this tournament an individual has to submit an Air Force Form 303, according to Mike Gaydos, a 30th Intelligence Squadron analyst stationed at Langley. It's like a resume because someone has to list the tournaments they've played in such as city, state and base championships, said Gaydos.
Gaydos placed third at Minot before being stationed at Langley. Other participants have been part of this competition for several years. Like Mark Gardiner from Scott AFB, who's played in this tournament for the last 14 years and has won four times.
"It's nice to have these championships," said Gardiner. "There are only about 15 sports where we have teams that participate for the Air Force and Armed services. It's a nice benefit because you get to represent your service and possibly your country."