Good form

SHAW AIR FORCE, S.C. -- Capt. Geoff Mann from Vandenburg AFB, Calif., takes his second shot on Hole 10 during the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship Sept. 18. The top six male and top three female finishes move on to represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Championship. Captain Mann made the team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John Gordinier)

Bunker shot

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Capt. Linda Jeffery from Offutt AFB, Neb., hits her golf ball out of the sand bunker during practice play in preparation for the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship from Sept. 16 - 19. The top six male and top three female players from the tournament will represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Golf Championship. Captain Jeffrey took first place for the woman's category. (Photo by Tim Smith)

Chipping practice

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- First Lt. Lori Bartz from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., chips onto the green during practice play in preparation for the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship from Sept. 16 - 19. The top six male and top three female players from the tournament will represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Golf Championship. Lieutenant Bartz took third place for the woman's category. (Photo by Tim Smith)

Heading out to compete

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Air Force's top golfers prepare for the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship from Sept. 16 - 19. The top six male and top three female players from the tournament will represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Golf Championship, which begins Sept. 23. (Photo by Tim Smith)

Airmen tee off to represent Air Force

Published Sept. 20, 2007
By Senior Airman John Gordinier
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (ACCNS) -- The best golfers the Air Force has to offer competed in the All Air Force Training Camp/Championship Sept. 16 - 19 at Shaw's Carolina Lakes Golf Course.

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 - 26.

"The tournament is played every year, but the course the tournament is played on changes," said Tim Smith, 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 are:

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

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

- Master Sgt. Michael Batten, Randolph AFB, Texas

- Capt. Geoffrey Mann, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

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

- Tech. Sgt. Jason Perry, Ramstein AB, Germany

- Capt. Linda Jeffery, Offutt AFB, Neb.

- First Lt. Maria Gronning, Nellis AFB, Nev.

- First Lt. Lori Bartz, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC

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 on to the Armed Forces Championship four times," Captain Mann said while playing on the tenth hole. "I like Shaw's course; the par-threes are a little tough but the par-fives 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 - Oct. 6.