Q and A

Kirk Kimball, our Webhannet Pro

What got you interested in golf, Kirk?
 
Up where I lived in Guilford, Maine, there was a 9-hole course called Piscataquis Country Club where I had summer jobs mowing the fairways when I was in my early teens.  I started hitting golf balls after work, and the pro there took an interest in me.  Within a few years I was playing Pro-Ams with him and I started to focus on “golf” as a career.  I was accepted at the Golf Academy of the South in Orlando, Florida when I was 18, and graduated two years later.  I never wanted to play the circuit, but I did want to be a club pro.
 
How far do you hit your 5-iron and your Cleveland 460 driver?   What type ball do you use?
 
I use Titleist ProV 1X balls.  My 5-iron goes about 195 yards and the driver 280 yards.
 
What do you think about before you hit a drive or a putt?
 
For my drive I try to visualize the target, concentrating on where I want the ball to land.  Putting is all about feel.  I also try to picture the ball rolling along the line into the cup.
 
Did anything surprise you about Webhannet after you became our pro?
 
I enjoy the history and traditions of the club, and the fact that so many family members play in club events.  In  last year’s member-member Elmer Ward Cup, for instance, the father-son team of Chet and Chet Homer won.  A couple of years before that, Max and Todd Eveleth won.  They’ve been members for years, and that was neat to see.  I wish new members would understand our special traditions and history.  Webhannet is a unique place and it’s a lot about the families who’ve been members for years.
 
What’s the hardest aspect of being the pro at Webhannet?
 
Honestly?  Waiting for everyone to come back after the long hard winter!  We have a short season and I like to have things up and running as quickly as I can.  Now, the easiest thing is the membership.  Compared to other clubs, our members are so easy!  They’re not into club politics and they don’t make huge demands on our staff.
 
Have there been any special moments since you came to Webhannet?
 
There was the” 2003 August trifecta” of Ron Smith’s retirement party on a Saturday night, where I was the emcee.  Three days later my daughter Halle was born.  And the very next day was the practice round for the member-guest, my first as head pro.  That was all pretty intense!   I’m also pleased that Greg Holder and I have such a  close relationship.  It doesn’t always happen that the club pro and the club superintendent are in sync about keeping the course open, or that they enjoy mutual respect.  But Greg and I have similar visions of and aspirations for Webhannet.  That’s something special.