Golf Week: Col. Paul Guemmer Plays CdA Floating Green - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Golf Week: Col. Paul Guemmer Plays CdA Floating Green for the First Time

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by Matt Rogers, SWX Reporter - email
by Jared Frank, KHQ.com/SWXRightNow.com - email
Col. Paul Guemmer has been the commander at Fairchild Air Force Base for nearly two years (Photo: KHQ) Col. Paul Guemmer has been the commander at Fairchild Air Force Base for nearly two years (Photo: KHQ)

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COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -

Colonel Paul Guemmer knows a thing or two about life. He knows how to refuel a fighter jet in mid-air and how to hook a bass. And he's learning how to play the game of golf.

Col. Guemmer joined Matt Rogers Friday morning on KHQ Local News Today for the last segment of Golf Week on KHQ. The commander from Fairchild Air Force Base played the famous floating green for the first time while talking about his upbringing in the military, his time in Spokane and the upcoming Lilac Torchlight Parade – the parade to honor the region's veterans.

A self-described military brat and father of three, Col. Guemmer took up the game of golf just last year. His first swing at the region's most coveted courses didn't go so well. His mulligan was a little better, although it landed short and to the right of the green floating in lake Coeur

LIVE on SWX

Armed Force Torchlight Parade

Sat., May 19
at 7:30 p.m.

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WEB: SWXRightNow.com

d'Alene. That's okay though. Fishing is more his sport anyway.

"I was raised doing a lot of bass fishing in the South, and then late in life picked up fly fishing and trout fishing," he explained. "This is perfect area to expand your abilities as an angler. I do a little bit better with then fishing than the golf. But having the Spokane River right there – 10 minutes from where I live is just outstanding."

Col. Guemmer says he has enjoyed his time in Spokane, if not for the fishing, then for the opportunity to work at Fairchild.

"It's a great base," he said. "Over the last close-to-two-years that I've been here we've seen a lot of improvements: a new runway going in, which is really an investment in Fairchild's future. And great airmen! They love the area, they love the support we get from the community."

He cited the community's support for the Armed Forces Lilac Torchlight Parade, which takes place every year on the third Saturday in May. The parade has become such a fixture in Spokane, that his boss, Four Star General Ray Johns, agreed last year to fly into town to be honored as the Grand Marshall.

"Whenever you have your big boss come out, that's always special," said Col. Guemmer. "He realizes how important the Lilac Festival and the Torchlight Parade is to the community. He was out here a year ago in February, we talked to him about it and he made a commitment specifically to come out here to be the Grand Marshall. He's really looking forward to it, bringing his wife out along with him and they're going to have a great time."

Col. Guemmer will take place in the annual Lilac Festival golf tournament at Coeur d'Alene Resort on Saturday. He just might have a leg up on the competition though, if for no other reason than he now knows what to expect on Hole 14.

Just remember to club up and go for the center next time, Colonel!

 

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