News release for the Detroit Media by Eren Stephens

WE HAVE AN "ACE" AMONGST  DETROIT'S FINEST   


A member of the Detroit Police Department will represent the United States
of America in the 17th Annual World Golfers Championship (WGC) in South
Africa, October 29 - November 5, stated Chief of Police Ralph L. Godbee,
Jr.2nd Deputy Chief Mark Thomas, Commanding Officer of the Executive
Protection unit for the Honorable Dave Bing, will have an amazing
opportunity to be on the national five-person team of amateur golfers.

Earlier this month, 2nd Deputy Chief Thomas competed with over 100 amateur
golfers when he proved to be talented and tenacious on the green. With
handicaps ranging from 0-25, it was decided in a 36-hole qualification at
the Hill Country Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San
Antonio, TX, that he would be a member of the United States National Team.
This team will compete against other countries, which are expected to join
the United States in South Africa. These countries include Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India,
Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Monoco, Netherlands, Nigeria,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand and Ukraine.   The 72-hole competition will
be played at the Durban Country Club, the Prince's Grant Golf Estate, the
Umhlali Country Club and the Zimbali Golf Course.The National Team members
are -Bob Neal of Arlington, TX; Mark Thomas of Detroit, MI; Eddie Stephens
of Wilmette, IL; Ivan Marin of Miami, FL; and David Weatherspoon of Arvada,
CO.   The WGC provides the average golf amateur an opportunity to play in a
worldwide event and represent their country in a way similar to what the
professionals do in The Ryder Cup, President's Cup and The Solheim Cup.

  By playing in different flight levels, everybody competes on an equal and
fair level against players of their own caliber.  Every country starts with
qualification tournaments on local or regional levels leading into a
National Final, where the 5 winners will be crowned to be the
representatives of their respective country. 

During the 17 year history of the World Golfers, this is the sixth time that
the United States has sent a National Team.   This is a historic moment for
the United States of America and the city of Detroit because 2nd Deputy
Chief Thomas will be the first African American, and Detroiter to have
earned this "once-in-a-lifetime" honor to represent this great country."This
was totally unexpected," stated 2nd Deputy Chief Mark Thomas.  "I am very
honored not only to represent the United States of America, but also a World
Class city- Detroit!"