Air Force takes silver

I trust it was mainly those guys who were good to golf [via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs]:

As far as Capt. Cameron Lowdon is concerned, competing against soldiers in the sandy bunkers of the Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa was highly preferable to seeing them in bunkers of any other kind.

Last week more than 80 armed forces members from 13 different countries competed in the World Military Golf Championship, where Canada earned a silver medal after two years off the podium.

It was the fifth event held by the International Military Sports Council since golf gained world championship status by the council in 2003.

"It's great to compete at this level against our military compadres from around the world," said Cameron, an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations in Cornwall.

Cameron was part of a six-man team that edged out Germany and newcomers Bahrain, but fell just short of the dominant U. S. squad.

Canada led the U. S. for the first time after the opening round, but come day four they were just trying to protect the second-place spot, Cameron said.

"They just have such a large pool to draw from. They're hard to beat," he said of the U. S. team.

The scoring system required each team to turn in the best four of the six scorecards each day of the 72- hole event. Canada had only two rounds over 76.

Home advantage for the tournament was a big plus for the Canadian squad, which also included Maj. Al Jensen (B. C), Maj. Paul Ridyard (Ottawa), Master Bombardier Tom Cameron (N. B.), Chief Warrant Officer Tony Stuckless (N. S.) and Capt. Wayne O'Donnell, Colarado Springs.

SELECTION TOURNAMENTS

The Canadians were able to hold selection tournaments at the Ottawa course to determine who would be on the team.