Interview With Craig Czerniejewski Head Golf Professional / Clubhouse Supervisor Washington County Golf Course

Below is an interview with Craig Czerniejewski, the Head Golf Professional / Clubhouse Supervisor at Washington County Golf Course. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
Thomas More High School (4 years varsity), Golf Team @ Morehead State University, 2002 OVC All-Conference Player, NGA Hooters Tour Player 2005-2007, Assistant Manager / Golf Professional Naga-Waukee Golf Course 2007-2013. Fitting Specialist Titleist 2006-2013, Royal Cup Team Member, Nelthrope Cup Team Member, 2011 PGA Member. Head Golf Professional Washington County Golf Course.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
My father gave me a cut down set of irons when I was 12. We live across the street from Carollton Elementary School in Oak Creek. I would hit balls until I was able to clear the tennis court (fence included). Took my first lesson from Matt Bencriscutto, at Johnson's Park, in Racine. He wasn't impressed with my swing or my talent of hitting a seven iron over a tennis court. However, he was able to impress me with one shot. I remember watching him hit a driver off his knees, and clearing the fence at the end of the range. I was hooked on golf ever since. Grow my love of the game thru the local Park N Rec, and then continued my golf education with David Rasmussen. We work throughout High School onto present day.

What is your current home course?
Washington County Golf Course

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Qualifying for the PNC (Professional National Championship) this past June in Sunriver, Oregon.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Golfers playing the wrong tee. Take your ego out of your game, move up and have more fun.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
It's a toss up between the driver and putter. Driver can setup short second shots and allow opportunities for eagle on par 5's. But nothings better than making putts, when it counts.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Scottsdale or Southeast Florida

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
St. Andrews

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Augusta National

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Pace of Play

Dream foursome (living)?
Myself, My Father, Tiger Woods, Jerry Seinfeld

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Myself, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Bobby Jones

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt? Sinking Long Putt

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
How about a Hole-in-One, during the Round of my Life?

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Crack of Dawn, best way to start a day

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power Fade

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway House

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Always Walking

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
New Titleist 712U, looks like an iron, plays like a hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 5. Great drive sets up risk reward for eagle opportunity.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Ben Hogan

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Play for money

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble!

18) 18 holes OR 36?
Why stop at 36? Play as many as daylight will allow