Thomas Wheeler served in the military. He worked in a factory. Then he read the want ads.
Sixteen years later, answering that want ad continues to pay off.
Wheeler landed the job for that want ad as assistant mechanic at Hazeltine National Golf Club. In the process, he hit the trifecta. He and head mechanic Ralph Arnt, who has been on the scene for 28 years, have combined to lead a veteran presence. And what is more important than that when you have two PGA Championships and now a Ryder Cup at your club?
Actually, Wheeler (pictured) gets out of the shop on occasion. He recalls doing some fairway mowing in the 2002 PGA Championship. This week, he has been dispatched to place lights near greens so the crew could mow early and in time for play.
Wheeler is proud of what he helps produce.
"It's a satisfaction that you did all you could, not only to make the course perfect or near perfect for the golfers but also for the shots that people see on TV," he says.
A native of Baltimore, Wheeler bought a van after his military discharge and traveled the U.S. He liked what he saw in Minnesota and chose to make it home. Obviously, Hazeltine certainly is glad he decided to stay a while.
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