In the third edition of Who We Are, an alumni spotlight series by award-winning writer Rich Mauch, we take get to know a bit about 3-time NAIA All-American and TXWES Athletics Hall of Famer, Mike Krsnak. Krsnak was an exceptional student-athlete, and has continued that exceptionalism by giving back and supporting the rich legacy the TXWES Golf programs have built. As we think about all of the blessings we enjoy this Holiday season, it's hard not to think about the 7 National Championships and 101 All-Americans the Men's Golf program has produced. This is who we are. If you missed the first two alumni spotlights, read about Braxton Brown here, and Rachel Loftin-Whaley here.
 
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By Rick Mauch


Mike Krsnak jokingly says he was first drawn to golf out of necessity.

"My whole family played and I guess if I wanted any attention growing up I figured I had to play too," he said with a laugh. I found out I wasn't too bad and just fell in love with the game immediately."

And he's been playing ever since. The game brought him to Texas Wesleyan University, where he played from 1982-87, graduating with a business degree.
           
During his time at Texas Wesleyan, he helped the Rams to a runner-up finish in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championship. They were among the best in the nation during his entire time with the program.


And, just like he fell in golf, Krsnak did so with the Fort Worth area. He's been a Professional Golfers Association head golf professional for a quarter century, entering immediately after his career at Texas Wesleyan was over.
           
Krsnak has been the head pro at Hawks Creek Golf Club in Westworth Village the past three years. Before that he was the same at Hidden Creek in Burleson for 15 years, and previously at Tierra Verde with the City of Arlington. He's also been an assistant at Great Southwest Golf Club in Grand Prairie, River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth and Mira Vista Country Club in Fort Worth.
           
He also competed for a couple years on the Dakota professional tour.
           
Krsnak said he gets home to visit his family in Sioux Falls, South Dakota a couple times a year.
And yes, golf is still a big part of their family.
           
"Mom played until she was 90. My brother is a teaching golf professionally in South Dakota. His wife just got inducted into the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame with numerous state titles," he said.
           
And he still loves to play himself - when he can.
           
"I get to play once a week if I'm lucky. I still play professionally in our local PGA section events with some moderate success," he said.
           
In 2016 he qualified to play in the National Senior Club Professional Championship.
           
Krsnak will always be fondly remembered at Texas Wesleyan. In November of 2019, he was placed in the school's athletics hall of fame. In his typical style, he called the enshrinement humbling, and he considers himself lucky.
           
"I was fortunate I was one of the few to play for two Hall of Fame coaches, O.D. Bounds and coach (Bobby) Cornett, so that makes it special to me," he said. "The program still means a lot to me today, as I have been on the endowment committee for the past 20-some years. 
           
"I feel everyone should give back to something that helped them out along the way. Also, I'm proud of a lot of my former teammates  Charlie Claffey, Kevin Gilster, and Brian Hutchinson as we all do our part to contribute to the success of both men's and women's programs."