SFS Airman putts onto Team U.S.A.

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  Athletes understand the feeling you get when there is two outs, in the bottom of the 9th and you're up by 8, with no runners on base; or the feeling when it's the two minute warning, in the 4th quarter and you're by 21. Airman 1st Class John Little, 6th Security Forces Squadron, knows that feeling well. He won the Air Force Military Golf Championship by 9 strokes to secure a spot in the Armed Forces Championship tournament making him the lowest ranking person to ever win that tournament.

Golf didn't just start for this Airman. His love for golf began when he was 10 years old and picked up his first club.

"I originally grew up on a golf course," said Airman Little. "Our backyard was the 7th hole and I just started playing."

Airman Little participated in a lot of tournaments growing up and even played the three years while attending Auburn University before joining the military in 2006. For eight months after joining the military he wasn't able to pick up a club.

"I mean between basic training, technical school or just being brand new at the base; I just didn't play," said Airman Little. "One day a staff sergeant in the squadron invited me out to play and I jumped on the chance."

One game was all it took, responded Airman little. "It brought it all back, the love of the game all the old memories ... everything."

It wasn't until a conversation with someone on the flightline that got Airman Little into the Military Varsity Sports arena. "I overheard someone talking about golf. He told me about going to the fitness center and talking to the sports director."

That talk got him to the Air Force Military Golf Championship.

After the first day of the tourney, he was in first place and stayed there.

"It was my first tourney in over two years," said Airman Little. "I automatically had nerves but by the 2nd hole the nerves went away. You remember how it felt to play in tournaments."

There were 38 people in the tournament comprised of Airmen from throughout the Air Force. Airman Little won the tournament by nine points and was the lowest ranking person to ever take the title.

A win at the all Air Force tournament secured a spot in the Armed Forces Championship Tournament held at Fort Gordon, GA., which pits the best golfers throughout the entire military against each other.

"There was only three days between the Air Force tournament and the Armed Forces tournament," said Airman Little. "I didn't have time to realize the enormity of winning the AF tourney."

Airman Little had the nerves going into taking the first putt at the tournament.

"If your not nervous at a tournament like this, something is wrong with you," said Airman Little. "But like before when I got to the second hole, I was back in my groove."
Airman Little tied for fifth overall out of 24 people.

"I was actually tied for sixth going into the last hole and I had to birdie the last hole to make the team," he commented.

Airman Little was one of the six military members representing the U.S. during the Military World Golf Championship Tournament held in Ottawa Canada.

"The Tournament had an opening and closing ceremony and the highlight for me was carrying the American flag during those ceremonies," said Airman Little.

Airman Little placed fifth out of 84 in the tournament and felt it was a little bittersweet.

"When I made that last putt, I knew that it was over and I would be returning back to base," commented Airman Little. "I wanted this experience to last longer."

Airman Little is currently a member of the U.S. Golf Team and represents the U.S. at different tournaments throughout the U.S.

"I made a lot of friendships along the way and had a great experience, said Airman Little. "It never would have happened without the support of my squadron, signing off on the original paperwork. It was a great opportunity for me and could be a great opportunity for some other Airman out there."