Photo By Sgt. Tabitha Bartley | Michael Bessette, assistant golf professional and assistant manager and first tee...... read more read more
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QUANTICO, Va - After working for the Medal of Honor Golf Course for more than eight years, Michael Bessette, the assistant golf professional and assistant manager, will be leaving Quantico and heading to Wind Creek Golf Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.
“He has the opportunity to grow,” said Paul Bloom, Medal of Honor Golf Course outdoor supervisor. “This job is meaningful and important. It’s for somebody who is growing. He spent his time learning here, now it’s time for him to take that with him somewhere else and learn some new things.”
During Bessette’s time at Quantico, he observed many changes. For example, the golf course now has a new landscape and clubhouse, but more historically, he saw the last general leave as base commander and the first colonel step in.
Going from the civilian sector in golf, to the military was a hard adjustment for Bessette, especially at age 24. As a result, he had trouble earning the respect that his job title entailed.
“I had a baby face, so on first look they just assumed things,” said Bessette. “I ended up growing facial hair and shaving my head to try and look as old as possible, so the Marines would start giving me the respect as a manager. Once the Marines knew that I knew the game, I didn’t have any trouble.”
Marines, junior golfers, employees and employers had great things to say about Bessette, not just his knowledge of the sport, but who he is as a person.
“He has made an impact here,” said David Hansinger, the Medal of Honor Golf Course’s general manager. Hansinger went on to say that working with Bessette was a rewarding experience where he learned as much from Bessette as he taught him.“
“He really listens to people,” said Bloom. “That’s something you need in a manager, because you have to work with people both up and down the chain.”
Bessette said he enjoyed his time working with the Marines and being in a military atmosphere.
“I definitely want to stick in the military portion of it,” said Bessette. “It’s going to be a different breed of golf though. Marines are more rigid and I really have to focus with teaching them to relax. I haven’t ever had that problem with the Air Force.”
Bessette hopes to make a greater impact and more recognition to the sport of golf and the benefit it can have on veterans of any
branch of service.
“One thing I’m hoping to get from this move is a long-term goal to help improve the military aspect and outlook on golf,” said Bessette. “I want to show that it can be used for something that’s good not just a recreational. It’s a place Marines can go to learn to relax.”
Bloom and Hansinger are sad to see him go, but happy that he is taking the opportunity to grow.
“A lot of us don’t want to see him go,” said Bloom, “but, as a Marine, we are used to people moving on, and that’s what he is doing.”
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2012 08:52 |
| Story ID: | 97998 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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