
Arnold Kirschenmann
athleteInducted 2012
Bakersfield High graduate in 1960, was one of Kern County's best-ever golfers. Was a four-time Kern County champion and won numerous club titles inside and outside of Kern County, At the age of 19, while playing golf at Fresno State, Kirschenmann was forced to abandon his dreams of becoming a pro player after the unexpected death of his father, which forced him to leave school and return home to run the family farming business. Renowned for his long drives-he was the 1962 NCAA long drive champion-Kirschenmann also had a brilliant short game., whether it was putting, chipping out of bunkers or using wedge shots. Remained an excellent player into his 50's when he qualified in back-to-back years for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships. Mentoring by Babe Lazane, Kirschenmann was a contemporary of Bob Elias members Dave Barber and Jack Ewing. Kirschenmann passed away in 2001 at the age of 58.