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Grand Forks AFB hosts Military Affairs Committee golf tournament

Stan Bruggeman, Plainsview Golf Course manager, reads some ground rules before the Military Affairs Committee golf tournament on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., June 17, 2014. The tournament brought together military and civilian leaders in friendly competition to build relationships between the base and community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Dobrydney)

Grand Forks AFB hosts Military Affairs Committee golf tournament

319th Air Base Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. David Duncan takes his first swing during the Military Affairs Committee golf tournament at Plainsview Golf Course on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., June 17, 2014. Duncan was one of 52 golfers who participated in the annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

Grand Forks AFB hosts Military Affairs Committee golf tournament

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, takes a swing during the first hole of the Military Affairs Committee golf tournament at Plainsview Golf Course on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., June 17, 2014. The annual event teamed military and civilians as a way to build relations between the base and local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

Grand Forks AFB hosts Military Affairs Committee golf tournament

Published June 18, 2014
By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Fifty-two Airmen and community leaders turned out to hit the greens at Plainsview Golf Course here for the annual Military Affairs Committee Golf tournament.

"I want to thank the MAC and the Chamber of Commerce for helping put this on," said 319th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Paul Bauman, who spoke about why events such as the tournament are important.

"We live in the community [and our Airmen] want to see that their community cares about them."

The MAC tournament at Plainsview and the complementary tournament held in Grand Forks by the Chamber of Commerce have been held for more than 20 years, said Don Fisk, a Grand Forks AFB ambassador and former MAC chairman.

Fisk explained that MAC-sponsored events serve as fundraisers for projects to support the Airmen on the base. "The MAC always wants the Airmen stationed here to say 'this is the best assignment I've ever had.'"

By setting up teams with an even mix of military and civilian members, the event also allows the base and community representatives to meet in a more relaxed setting to foster new friendships.

"It's the camaraderie that's important," Fisk said.

1st Lt. Dedra Campbell, 319th ABW assistant staff judge advocate, would agree. She hadn't golfed in a few years but still turned out for the tournament.

"It's more about outreach and spending time with co-workers," she said.

Meanwhile, members of the 319th Force Support Squadron hope that the tournament will help spread word of mouth about Plainsview now being open to civilian players on the third Saturday of each month.

"This has always been a good tournament for the base and for the community," said Stan Bruggeman, course manager. "We need more ambassadors for the golf course, as many as we can get."