Andrews Airman participates in national golf tournament

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (AFPN) --  When he was in high school, Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Kessler worked part-time at a golf course in Mobridge, S.D., to earn some cash and play the sport for free. As he mowed the fairways and greens, he didn't think much of the game.

"I played a little bit, but I didn't take the game seriously," he said. "I didn't really think it was a 'manly' sport."

He changed his mind nearly 10 years after joining the Air Force. In 1995, a friend at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., who was an avid golfer reintroduced Sergeant Kessler to the game. Today, Sergeant Kessler has a 12 handicap and loves the game because "it's humbling and challenging, and there's always room for improvement."

Sporting a baseball cap and striped polo shirt with the Air Force symbol, Sergeant Kessler was the only military member to compete July 2 in the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am, part of the AT&T National Golf Tournament at the Congressional Country Club.

Originally, Sergeant Kessler was scheduled to play on a four-person team with the tournament's host, professional golfer Tiger Woods, whose late father, Earl, was a retired Soldier.

"When I first got the word, I was extremely excited... then nervous," Sergeant Kessler said. "After (I got over) that, I just felt honored and blessed to be selected, because it's the chance of the lifetime to play with the number one golfer in the world, and to represent the Air Force and Andrews Air Force Base; it's truly an honor."

After learning Woods would be out for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery following his June win in the U.S. Open, Sergeant Kessler said he was disappointed, but still felt privileged to play in the "best ball"-style tournament.

"I would never have had a chance to do this otherwise; to play at the Congressional (Country Club) with a pro. No matter how you slice it, it's still exciting," he said.

Sergeant Kessler was paired with PGA Tour pro John Rollins for the event, which pairs a professional and three amateur golfers on a team.

"(He) is a great guy," Sergeant Kessler said. "(Playing with a pro) was a little nerve wracking at first, but once I settled down, it was fun. This was my first pro-am; it was not as intense as I thought it would be. It was really laid back. I had a decent game. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the moment."

He started his round with a par on the first hole and later birdied a par-4.

Sergeant Kessler said the tournament gave him an opportunity to speak about Air Force missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and about his personal experiences with his teammates, who included two civilian amateur players.

"I didn't know I was going to play with (Sergeant Kessler), but we had a good time and we just enjoyed the day," said Mr. Rollins, who has five top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour this year. "It was great to play with someone who has put in time and service for our country. He told me a little bit about what he does and what he's done."

Sergeant Kessler admitted the team struggled sometimes. After he hit into a sand trap on the fourth hole, his caddie and long-time friend Gerry Gloster jokingly told him to retrieve his own ball.

"It's tough love," Mr. Gloster said. "We're just having fun."

Sergeant Kessler said when the team struggled, at least one member stepped up and pulled them through with a good shot. When they ended their round, they were tied for the lead and ended up finishing fourth overall in the tournament with a net score of 11 under par 70.

Sergeant Kessler was nominated to play in the tournament by Michael Thomas, general manager of The Courses at Andrews AFB. He said the Tiger Woods Foundation was looking for an enlisted person who had deployed overseas and was a skilled golfer.

"He's representing our Air Force well," Mr. Thomas said. "He's a very quiet, subdued person, so to have this instant 'rock star' status is a little overwhelming for him, I think, but he's handling it with great respect."

Sergeant Kessler is superintendent of operations for the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron at Andrews AFB. He deployed several times between 1998 and 2006 to Oman, Jordan and twice to Iraq, also spending time in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"It's really cool to see the military getting its just applause," Mr. Thomas said. "With our nation at war, it's nice to be able to take a deep breath and have a little revelry in golf. Sergeant Kessler's been an avid supporter of the golf program at Andrews for years and, as a civil engineer senior enlisted person, he's a role model for both the military and civilian communities. He's a solid citizen and a great Airman."

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