Ellsworth out swings South Dakota National Guard in golf tournament

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kasey Zickmund
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Patriot Cup, part of the Battle of the Business Golf Tournament sponsored by the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, recently concluded in a win for Ellsworth Airmen.

It came down to the last hole when both teams were tied at 10-under par, and Ellsworth's team took the win over the South Dakota National Guard with Staff Sgt. Benjamin King, Air Force Finance Services Center air mobility command temporary duty supervisor, scored an eagle on a par 4, closing out the four-man scramble with a two-stroke lead.

The suspense of the competition kept spectators engaged; but, the eventual victors after 18 holes of play, went into the game feeling they had an advantage.

"The factor that gave us the edge over (our opponents) was that, just by chance, we were a team of people whose particular skill sets complimented one another very well," said Airman 1st Class Evan McPhail, 28th Maintenance Squadron avionics component and test station apprentice. "Essentially, there was no area of the game that one of us could not consistently execute with great proficiency at any given time during this match."

Airmen McPhail's teammates agreed with his assessment of the team's dynamics.

"We had a great team," Sergeant King said. "All of us brought something different to the group and we worked well together through the rain and muck. We laughed our way to victory." 

The team's chemistry was another factor to their win. 

"Good team chemistry," said Staff Sgt. Paul Green, Detachment 8, 372nd Training Squadron B-1B Lancer electro and environmental instructor. "We had a player good at each aspect of the game. One good at driving, approach, chipping and putting. We had a well balanced team." 

The team consisted of Sergeant King, Sergeant Green, Airman McPhail and Staff Sgt. Micah Shaffer, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy equipment operator. 

For more information about golf, to arrange for lessons or to schedule a game, call Ellsworth's Prairie Ridge Golf Course at (605) 923-4999.