Q & A: Resource Officer Works PGA Championship
The 100th Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Championship took place from Aug. 9-12 at Bellerive Country Club, eight miles from MHS. Multiple members of the MHS community witnessed the event, but School Resource Officer Steve Aspinall was not a member of the crowd. Aspinall’s supervisor, one of the main planners for security at the tournament, offered him the opportunity to work as security for the Championship.
Q: What did you do at the PGA Championship?
A: I was Tiger Woods’ personal protection for his final round. I just made sure no one jumped on the wrong side of the ropes, made sure he made his round safely without anyone grabbing him.
Q: What can you say about your time as personal protection?
A: I enjoyed it. It was neat seeing [the Championship] from a different perspective. You know, usually you’re with all the crowds. This time around [I was] walking inside the ropes with the golfer, walking down the fairway, just seeing it from a whole different viewpoint.
Q: How many days did you work and how did you spend this time?
A: I worked four days, but only Sunday with Tiger Woods. I worked on the grounds on Tuesday and then I was Traffic Control the other two. Tuesday I watched a little bit of the tournament before the rain came in.
Q: What was the atmosphere like at the PGA Championship?
Very electric, very loud. Around Tiger Woods the crowds were very vocal, folks screaming and yelling, almost like a party atmosphere.
Q: Did you enjoy working the Championship?
A: Even though I was not able to enjoy it like a regular spectator because I was more worried about making sure Tiger Woods was safe, it was still enjoyable.
Q: What was your favorite part?
A: Walking down the 18th fairway with everyone cheering was a neat experience. Even though I knew they weren’t cheering for me.
Q: What is the biggest thing you took away from working the Championship?
A: The camaraderie between the players was more than I expected. Behind the scenes they were all joking, laughing, just having a good time. Usually when you see them out on the course they’re all business, more serious, but once they’re done golfing, they’re just regular people.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Absolutely. In a heartbeat.
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Alyssa Shellabarger, junior, is a staff reporter for the Messenger. She runs on the Track Team, and is a Key Club officer. She dances at Carol Bowman Academy...