TPC of Mosul: Where are they now?  Almost three years ago, in March of 2004, some very important golfers played at TPC Sawgrass. But their names weren't Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Ernie Els.  Col. Jeffrey P. Kelly, LTC. Anthony Whitson, LTC.
Spencer Smith, Capt. Jesse White, TV host Staci Spanos, and PGA TOUR Pro, Frank Lickliter II. (Badz/PGA TOUR Photo) Just days after those PGA TOUR pros competed in THE PLAYERS Championship, the Stadium Course went from hosting those guys who are good to those guys who are heroes. They were the military's most famous foursome--Col. Jeffery Kelley, Lt. Col. Kirk Whitson, Lt. Col. Spencer Smith and Captain Jesse White--a group of soldiers stationed in Mosul who'd found a way to play the game they loved in the deserts of Northern Iraq. When he first saw White with a 7-iron in hand, aiming for an antenna topped with a rag, White's then commanding officer Kelley asked if he could build more holes. "If you build it, they will come," Kelley said. And come they did, as the soldiers stationed there enjoyed that little piece of home over in Iraq. In Sept. 2003, the TOUR learned that White had built a golf course there and named it named TPC of Mosul, so they were anxious to correspond with the soldiers and assist their efforts. Over the next few months, the TOUR communicated with White and sent custom-made TPC of MOSUL hats, clubs, golf balls, and Christmas boxes with special treats. When White and his regular golfing buddies returned to the States, they spent a weekend in Ponte Vedra Beach, attending THE PLAYERS, touring the World Golf Hall of Fame and taking lessons at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village. The highlight of their trip was an outing at TPC Sawgrass, where a few surprise guests even joined their round, including Vijay Singh, Frank Lickliter, Fred Funk, Calvin Peete, Morris Hatalsky and Walter Morgan. Despite nerves and a few errant shots on the challenging course, the four greatly enjoyed their time on the Stadium Course.  Left to right: LTC. Spencer Smith, Capt. Jesse White, PGA TOUR Pro, Frank Lickliter II, Col. Jeffrey Kelly, and LTC. Anthony Whitson. (Badz/PGA TOUR Photo) "That's the worst golf I've ever played," White told Lickliter and Funk after finishing on the 18th hole in March 2004, "but the best time I've ever had." Since their visit, they've remained in touch with folks at the TOUR. Their duties have called them back to Iraq at various points and all four have moved to new assignments since 2004. Sadly, the TPC of Mosul is no longer there, as the golf course fell outside of base borders when the unit and base size shrank. However, while stationed in Kirkuk in 2005, Colonel Kelley founded the second TPC in Iraq, the TPC of Kirkuk. The four returned this week to Ponte Vedra Beach for their first reunion in three years. Lickliter joined them again for nine holes, an honor greatly appreciated by the soldiers. This may be the last time they'll see each other for a while, as each will be deployed to Iraq in the near future. For now, though, they relished a chance to play golf, have a few drinks and enjoy each other's company. "It's just good to be back together again," said White. |
