Nine service members from each branch of the Department of Defense represented their service in the 2018 Armed Forces Golf Championship at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s Marine Memorial Golf Course, July 22-25, 2018.

“We are really proud to host the tournament this year,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Killea, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations - West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “We have spent the last year bringing the course to its original 1948 design, I hope everyone appreciated that during the practices and qualifiers.”

The Armed Forces Golf Championship is an annual golf tournament that rotates across Department of Defense bases in the United States, and is back at MCB Camp Pendleton for the first time since 2009. Last week, 83 hopefuls participated in the qualifying round, narrowing down the teams to a total of 36 competitors.

“To the Marines, best of luck, there’s a home course advantage out there, go out and find it,” said Killea.

As the tournament begins, service members compete head-to-head for a spot on the all-forces team.

“Winning the first place on the All-Marine team is good, but the real reward is making the international team during the Armed Forces Golf Championship,” said Andy Hinson, coach for the All-Marine team.

The best of the branches will see who the best is in the Department of Defense, then move on to the international championship in Germany.

“If you’re one of the top six players you represent the United States in the world games,” said Hinson. “That’s the ultimate reward.”