News

Pine Oaks hosts AF training camp

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  The top active-duty golfers in the Air Force will converge on Robins' Pine Oaks Golf Course beginning Sunday for a four-day tournament as part of Air Force golf training camp. Nearly 40 golfers will compete for a chance to be invited to participate on the Air Force golf team.

Tech. Sgt. Ty Reyes, NCO in charge of Air Force sports, was involved in selecting the training camp participants. He said this is one of the strongest groups of golfers to compete for a spot on the Air Force team.

"We have a lot of returning veterans and a lot of strong young players, so this tournament should be highly competitive," Sergeant Reyes said. "The great thing about golf is it's based on tournament scores, so everyone in the field has an equal chance of making the team."

The top six men and the top three women are selected to the Air Force team and will compete against teams from the Army, Navy and Marines in a tournament at Fort Gordon, Ga. Aug 8-14.

Tech. Sgt. Martin Bajala, 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said having the tournament here will increase his chances of making the team because of his familiarity with the course.

"I have a 'home court' advantage," he said. "I've been practicing three times a week on the course and am prepared for the tournament."

Also participating in the training camp are Master Sgt. Mark Schwab, 116th Mission Support Group, and Airman 1st Class Kent Parsons, 53rd Combat Communications Squadron. Air Force Reserve Command's Tech. Sgt. Christopher McIlwain was also invited to participate but will miss training due to family obligations.

Clay Murray, manager of Pine Oaks, said his crews have been working diligently to prepare the course for the tournament.

"It's an honor to have this tournament and we are taking it very seriously," Murray said. "The best Air Force active-duty golfers are participating so we want the course to be in the best condition possible. We are getting the course in the best condition we could."



Murray said with the caliber of players participating, their aim is to make the course a little more challenging. They changed Hole 5, which normally plays as a par 5, to a 448-yard par 4. Hole 3 will also play longer than usual.

Bajala said the changes are noticeable, particular the work done on course improvements. "In the three years I've been at Robins, I've never seen the course look this good."