Ball State Captain closer to dream round at Pebble Beach

By Brandon Tucker, Senior Writer

Muncie, IN - As thousands of golfers know, the game can be atime-consuming passion, even bordering obsession.

The remedy? For Ball State University junior Patrick Wilkes-Krier, captain your school's golf team. Though the heavy schedule may lead to some lost study time or missed social events, it's just what the doctor ordered for Krier and many other collegiate golfers who spend every day tuning up for the next big event.

Possessor of five top ten collegiate finishes, Wilkes-Krier gives his two cents with us on dreams of playing Pebble Beach and going pro, as well as why golf and his rock star brother, Andrew W.K., have more in common than you think.

TG: You can travel anywhere in the world for a golf trip. You have a couple days there. Where would you go?

PWK: If I could travel anywhere in the world to play golf Iwould go to Pebble Beach. I've been to many famous golf courses around the world buthaven't made my way to Pebble Beach. I love California and love the way Pebble Beachlooks on TV - I would love to experience it in person.

TG: Qualify for the 2010 U.S. Open and your wish will begranted...In your travels amongst the college ranks, what's been your favoritecourse/college town to visit?

PWK: My favorite tournament that we participate in every year isAkron University's Invitational at Firestone C.C. We also made a trip to the VirginIslands for a week last year and of course the weather was spectacular, but not manycourses compare to those at Firestone.

TG: Where should four college kids go for a golf vacation?

PWK: I would recommend that four college kids go somewhere inFlorida for a golf vacation. Florida has a lot of good quality public courses andyou'll always be able to find a cheap motel around the area.

TG: That must be during spring break then, not hurricane season. Your brother is a hard-rocker, you want to golf for life. Who went wrong?

PWK: Yes, my brother is a hard-rocker and I'm a golfer, but weactually are exactly the same. We have a huge amount of passion for something andhave dedicated our lives to doing it as good as we can. He spends countless hoursworking on music, I spend countless hours practicing golf. Golf and music may bedifferent in a lot of ways, but at the base of it, the passion that he and I have arevery similar. I think it would be weirder if one of us was extremely passionate andthe other was a boring slob.

TG: What do you think of the college team format? Do you thinkthis format would be better in deciding the Ryder Cup or other professional teamevents? I mean who plays "Alternate Shot" anymore?

PWK: I like the college team format. I also like the Ryder Cup format. I don't think that the Ryder Cup format would be reasonable for college and I don't think that the college format would work for the Ryder Cup. I think it's a good change of pace to watch professionals play scrambles and alternate shots as opposed to stroke play.

TG: Describe your most pressure-filled moment in college golf.

PWK: One of my most pressure-filled moments in golf was just this past season. After the 36 holes we played the first day, I stood at a respectable 1 over par. I felt confident walking up to the first tee for the last round. After the first two holes of the last round I had lost three golf balls and stood 4 over par for the day. I felt like I didn't have control over my game, but I was able to step back, calm myself, and shoot 6-under in the remaining 16 holes, finishing the day at 2-under and the tournament at 1-under.

TG: Where will golf stand when you graduate? Recreation or will you try and turn it into a career?

PWK: When I graduate from college I will begin a long journey of hard work to try and become the best player I can possibly be, which will hopefully result in success in the pro ranks.

Wouldn't that make an interesting pair? One brother hosts his own show on MTV 2, "Your Friend, Andrew W.K." while the other climbs the leaderboard on the Golf Channel. Now that is "Must-see TV."

November 1, 2004