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Airman plays in Pro-Am

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
PALM HARBOR, Fla. --  Upon winning the MacDill Air Force Base golf championship Airman 1st Class Dalton Dishman, 6th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, was informed that he was selected to play with professional golfer, Rory Sabbatini, in the Valspar Championship Pro-Am, March 12, 2014 at Innisbrook Resort.

"I was taken back when I found out. I had no idea that this opportunity would arise upon playing in the base championship," said Dishman. "It was my first time playing alongside a professional, as well as playing on a course that size."

Dishman, a Monterey, Tenn. native, and two other veterans had the pleasure of accompanying Sabbatini on Copperhead golf course.

"Airman Dishman has a great game and is able to hit the ball a long way which is fantastic," stated Rory. "He had the best Pro-Am score I have seen in a while. He most certainly has potential to go very far in the golf world."

He started playing golf in fourth grade and won his first tournament when he was in fifth grade. Since then, he has played in numerous tournaments.

"We used to set up cups around the house so he could practice putting," said Pam McFarland, Dishman's mother. "We also had a 50 yard shot in the backyard which is where he spent most of his time."

Dishman's dream is to become a professional golfer and has aspirations of being a part of the Air Force golf team.

"I had a blast!" exclaimed Dishman. "I learned a lot about my game and about myself. This would not have been possible without the tremendous support I received from fellow co-workers and leadership."