File:TigerWoods at AT&T National 2012.jpg

English: A photograph of Tiger Woods sealing his 74th all-time PGA tour victory at the AT&T National in Bethesda has brought VOA’s Bill Workinger a win of his own.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) presented Workinger the prestigious Dateline Award for local journalism at a ceremony at the National Press Club on June 11.

“It was an opportunity a photographer dreams about,” Workinger said. “An historic moment, unrestricted access, and a vantage point not selected by any other photographer. I want to thank the SPJ for recognizing this image and the Voice of America.”

Workinger’s photo from the 2012 AT&T National was shown on a Sonny Side of Sports segment on VOA’s In Focus television show.

Workinger is a multimedia broadcast specialist for the English to Africa Service, but his photographic coverage of events is entirely self-initiated. “It’s a talent that I think I have, but it’s also an extra skill that I’m adding to my current job,” he said.

The winning photo was the first he ever submitted to a contest. Workinger’s win came just days after VOA reporters received three AP awards at the Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association’s annual awards banquet.