U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Aaron Barber, 3rd Special Operations Squadron, hits a ball during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Showers, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron, hits a ball during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Air Commandos line the driving range during a golf clinic, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Air Commandos line the driving range during a golf clinic, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Aaron Barber, 3rd Special Operations Squadron, hits a ball during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Robert Kearney, head golf professional at Texas Tech University, teaches U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rody Garcia, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron, during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Tucci, 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron, hits a ball during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Gavin, son of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Anderson, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, prepares his club during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military.
Air Commandos and professional golfers pose together during a golf clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2012. Two PGA Class A golfers from Texas Tech University gave free instruction to Cannon Airmen and their families as a way of giving back to the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
by Senior Airman Jette Carr
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/22/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- PGA Class A golf professionals from Texas Tech University gave Air Commandos tips and tricks of the trade in an instructional class at the driving range at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20.
Robert Kearney, head golf professional at Texas Tech University, and Greg Winter, general manager of the Rawls Course, gave individual instruction to all those present, tailored to each person's skill level.
"Being in such close proximity to an Air Force Base and having grown up in a military family, I thought this was a great opportunity for us to give back to the service men and women and thank them for all they do," said Kearney.
This sentiment was not lost on the Airmen whose golf swings were improved.
"I appreciate the fact they came out here, free of charge, and gave us some tips on our game - that's really the best thing," said Master Sgt. Aaron Barber, 3rd Special Operations Squadron unit training manager. "They also thanked us for our service. That's awesome!"
Barber said he would enjoy more golf clinics. He sees it as a way for more Airmen to have an opportunity to learn the game.
This clinic not only helped beginners, but also gave veterans of the sport a chance to learn.
After nearly 20 years of playing golf, Barber was given instruction to up his consistency, an aspect of the game he said he needed more of.
As Kearney and Winter packed up their clubs and drove home, their students remained on the range for a time, concentrating on implementing all the new things they had learned. Each had a patch of dirt to the side where their strikes at the ball left a mark on the field of grass, a visual representation of their desire to improve.
