March-ing to victory is taking on new meaning for Tom Whitney.
The month of March seems to bring out the best in the Air Force Academy senior. At least it certainly has the last two seasons.
A year after winning two college events in March, Whitney struck again on Tuesday, claiming the tournament title in the Triumph at Pauma Valley north of San Diego.
The victory was the fourth overall of Whitney’s college career and the first of his senior season. He shot a 3-under-par 68 Tuesday to win by four strokes with a 2-under 211 total.
Last year after his two-victory month, Whitney was named Mountain West Conference Golfer of the Month for March, and he should be in contention for the same award again this season.
Actually, the last 13 months overall have been quite a ride for Whitney, whether playing for the Air Force Academy or during the summer months.
Besides his two wins for the Falcons during the spring portion of last season, Whitney set the season-long scoring record for the Air Force golf program (72.0 average). Then last summer, he qualified for his first — and second — USGA tournaments. He advanced to the second round of match play in the U.S. Amateur Publinks, and also earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur.
Back for his senior season at the Academy, Whitney has been a model of consistency. In addition to his one victory, he’s finished second twice, third twice, sixth and eighth. His worst finish of the season has been 24th.
Furthermore, Whitney is on track to again break the Air Force Academy’s season-long scoring record. He currently stands at 71.3 this season, which leaves him with the fourth-best norm in the Mountain West Conference.
Whitney probably has five or six tournaments left in his college career, including the MWC Championships and the NCAA Regionals in May.
