BAKERSFIELD, CA - A soldier from the Visalia area wounded in Afghanistan, now calls Bakersfield home. Staff Sergeant K.C. Mitchell lost his left leg after hitting a roadside bomb in 2010. Now, he's not only recovered, he's getting ready to again serve his country representing the U.S. in the Simpson Cup Golf Tournament in England.
Mitchell found out Tuesday morning he is going to be one of twelve wounded U.S. service members playing against twelve wounded British service members later this year.
On a local golf course, the forceful swing from K.C. Mitchell, makes seeing all of the man controlling the clubs awe-inspiring.
"I wear pants about 99 percent of the time I play because, you know, I like to be treated normal," said Mitchell about covering his prosthetic during golf.
"Sometimes, it usually comes out, and they realize and I get the look like they just saw a ghost."
In April 2010, Staff Sergeant K.C. Mitchell's vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. His legs were in bad shape, the left worse than his right.
"It just was not save-able. But, November 2010, I had to elect to have it amputated," said Mitchell.
After four months at Walter Reed Army Hospital near D.C. and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, plus support from his wife and new daughter, Mitchell was walking again and taking up golf. He joined other wounded soldiers at Operation Game On. The San Diego-based program teaches balance and coordination through golf. Mitchell also got custom golf clubs from TaylorMade. Three years later, he's hooked.
"I love the mental aspect of it. It just takes my mind in a whole different place instead of racing, thinking about multiple different things," said Mitchell.
And, he's good. He's about a nine handicap and shoots anywhere from a 76 to 81. A drive in front of a 17 News camera measured 310 yards.
"I never thought I would be this good," said Mitchell.
That's why he's one of twelve wounded U.S. service members representing our country in the Simpson Cup. They'll be taking on the British on the same course where the Ryder Cup is played.
"I kind of knew he would make the team. But, whatever he puts his mind to, he always somehow pulls it off. I don't know. I'm really proud of him," said Mitchell's wife, Malori Mitchell.
"Getting to represent the U.S. as far as a soldier going over there to play, it's an honor," said Mitchell.
K.C. and his wife just moved into a home in Riverlakes with their now, three-year-old daughter. They are fixing up the former foreclosure, digging their roots deep here in the Central Valley.
"I was driving the other day, and I was just like, this is home. I love the valley. You can continue to strive on, just do bigger and better things. I mean, like I said golf, I never thought I'd be where I'm going," said Mitchell.
Mitchell, as a wounded service member, used to golf for free in San Diego. Now, both Stockdale Country Club and Bakersfield Country Club have offered him free memberships.
The Simpson Cup in England is September 23 through the 27th.
Malori Mitchell plans to go to nursing school in Bakersfield. K.C. is set to medically retire from the military and is waiting on his discharge papers. He says they should arrive in the next two or three months. After that, he will be looking for a job, possibly in law enforcement, in Bakersfield.