Athletes proudly represent Air Force Academy in professional sports

Last week in the NFL Draft, Trey Taylor was drafted in the seventh round by the Las Vegas Raiders. He is one of a handful of athletes who have graduated from the Air Force Academy and succeeded in Pro Sports. That includes two players on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tour.

Kyle Westmoreland was the first graduate from the Academy to earn his PGA Tour card

He joined the Tour in 2022 after a successful season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022. He had three top 10s that season. Westmoreland was also the first Academy graduate to play in the US Open, a feat he accomplished in 2021. Westmoreland was a Captain in the Air Force and completed his five-year commitment to the branch.

He was joined the next season by Tom Whitney. Whitney as an Air Force Officer rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. During his service, he was a nuclear missile operator. During his time at the Academy, Whitney was on the team's golf club winning several tournaments representing the branch. In October of 2023 he earned his PGA Tour card.

Both have competed this past year. Westmoreland this season is currently on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has four top-25s and one runner-up this season. He finished tied for second at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club.

Whitney has competed on the PGA Tour this season and has made five cuts in ten tournaments he's played in. His best finish came at the Farmers Insurance Open where he finished in a tie for 13th. He shot a final round 68 at the tournament.

To be a graduate of the Air Force Academy many skills are required both on and off whatever field or course an academy grad plays or participates in. Both Westmoreland and Whitney will continue to compete and represent the Academy in strong ways on both Tours.