Twist of fate sends Kirk into Classic

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000 | 10:40 a.m.

Were it not for a bit of luck, former UNLV golfer Michael Kirk would not be making his PGA Tour debut at the $4.25 million Invensys Classic that starts on Wednesday.

Kirk was originally denied a coveted sponsor's exemption into the tournament.

He was added to the field of 144 professionals last Wednesday when former U.S. Amateur champion David Gossett had to give up his exemption because he had already taken the seven exemptions allowed a non-PGA Tour card carrying player.

"Thanks, David Gossett," Kirk said with a satisfied smile. "Thanks (tournament manager) Charlie Baron and the Founders Club for the exemption.

"It was really tough to get one. I am just very grateful and lucky. They were going to set me up for the following year which was really nice, but now I don't have to wait."

The tournament, which concludes Sunday, will be played at the TPC at Summerlin, the Desert Inn and Southern Highlands.

Ever since school let out in May, Kirk wasn't sure when he would turn professional.

On the one hand, he was only a few credits short of graduating and wanted to get his degree to honor a promise he made to his mom in South Africa. On the other hand, the All-American felt he was ready to test his skills on the tour.

In September Kirk finalized his decision when he sent in his PGA Tour Qualifying School application. Recently, he withdrew from the classes he was enrolled in for the fall semester and signed with International Management Group.

"I'm just going to give a shot at golf for the semester and maybe go back later," Kirk said. "I was thinking I would have missed golf for 10 months by staying amateur and I wouldn't have had any competitions to play in so I thought it would be better just to give it a go.

"I didn't know what exactly to do and I finally just signed with a management company and said let's go for it."

Kirk qualified last week for the Buy.com Tour's New Mexico Classic.

His four-day total 4-under-par 275 at the Santa Ana Golf Club put him in a two-way tie for 12th place. It also put $9,350 in his pocket.

"I'm glad I went to play that event," Kirk said. "I learned a lot.

"It was good; it was the first time I had played since the Western Amateur and I hadn't been in contention, down the stretch (in a long time). It was a great experience. I learned a lot about myself, about my game and what I need to work on."

This week, Kirk will be taking a relaxed approach to playing in the Invensys Classic.

The tournament will be played in a pro-am format that pairs each professional with three amateurs, and Kirk hopes it will work in his favor.

"You're not playing with other pros, which usually intimidates you a little more," Kirk said. "You're playing with three amateurs so you're just going to go out there and play like it's just a social round of golf, so it's pretty fun.

"I'm very, very excited. This is great. I know I can get things going and play at a high level, but I'm not expecting much. I just want to go out and enjoy it, just enjoy it."