From pro golfer to pilot

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A pilot from the 56th Training Squadron received fourth place in the Lima International 2012 Golf Championship at the Lima Golf Club in Peru.

Despite having taken a few years' hiatus from this level of competition, Capt. Andy Aduddell, 56th TRS special mission subject matter expert, competed against players from 21 countries.

"This tournament has been taking place for a few years with top players from around the world," Aduddell said. "Many of the players will be turning pro in the near future."

However, Aduddell doesn't have dreams of becoming a pro, but would like to compete as an amateur golfer again.

"I was invited to play in this tournament in Lima, Peru, by the executive director of the Arizona Golf Association," he said. "They expressed to me after the tournament that they want me to start playing more on the national level. I want to get back into competitive amateur golf to play on the national and international level. I've said I would return to the tournament in Peru next year if the Air Force lets me go."

Aduddell played competitive golf before joining the Air Force both on an amateur and professional level. He has enjoyed playing golf for as long as he can remember and started playing competitively at the national level as a junior golfer at age 15.

In his college days at the University of Texas Aduddell really began to develop into the golfer he is today and began his road to playing professionally.

"I played professional golf from 1997 to 2002," he said. "But I stopped playing on a professional level after joining the Air Force."
His transition from pro golfer to Air Force Airman was a road many people took after 9/11.

"I was playing professionally during 9/11, and decided I wanted to do something more," he said. "So a couple of months later, I visited a local Air Force recruiter, scored well on my tests and here I am today."

Golfing at a full-time amateur level may have to wait for him to finish his time in the Air Force.

"Playing this well in Peru was a great accomplishment," he said. "I haven't played with people of that skill level since 2002 and to come in 4th, I was surprised. I exceeded my expectations. Having been out of the game that long, my goal was to win but I never expected to win or do as well as I did."