Over the past year, long-haired, party-anthem musician Andrew W.K. has improbably morphed into a cult hero in Pittsburgh after his 2001 hit, “Party Hard,” became the Penguins’ official goal song.
This week, another member of his family is trying to make his own indelible mark in Western Pennsylvania.
Patrick Wilkes-Krier, Andrew’s younger brother, is competing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club as a sectional qualifier.
“I don’t think a lot of people have made the connection until today,” Wilkes-Krier, 32, said. “I was aware of it. I had told a few friends I met here that are Penguins fans that my brother was the one who made the song that’s played during games. It’s a funny coincidence.”
Despite Andrew’s strange and sudden association with the area, Wilkes-Krier said his brother’s schedule won’t allow him to attend the tournament.
Separated by 4½ years, the two grew up together in Ann Arbor, Mich., where Wilkes-Krier is currently an instructor at a local golf shop. The age gap often prevented them from getting in fights — “we had a typical big brother-little brother relationship,” Wilkes-Krier said — and from a young age, each fervently pursued their passion, with Patrick in sports and Andrew in music.
“We got some similar exposure and that helped shape our personalities,” Wilkes-Krier said. “I think, at the core, we relate to each other very well just because we are so similar.”
Though he doesn’t possess his brother’s fame, Wilkes-Krier has his own remarkable story.
After graduating from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., he chased a professional career, traveling across the country in his 2004 Subaru to play in tournaments to try to create a life for himself and his wife, Whitney. He endured that grind for eight years, but the time away from his family stung. He grew tired of chasing a dream that seemed increasingly unattainable. So, after discussing it with Whitney, they decided to move back to his hometown.
“When you’re playing poorly, and there are always times when that happens, it feels like a hopeless pursuit,” Wilkes-Krier said. “After many years of doing it, it starts to take an emotional toll on everyone involved.”
His career, though, wouldn’t end there. When he wasn’t teaching young golfers, he worked on his own game and kept trying to find a way back in the world he once knew. A breakthrough came early this month when he finished tied for second in a sectional qualifier in Springfield, Ohio, securing a spot at Oakmont this week.
There has been a surreal quality to the past few days, which have included national TV interviews and practice rounds with the likes of Jordan Spieth and Jason Day.
“I’ve never been in this situation in my life, so I’m going to approach it as best as I can,” he said.
For now, Wilkes-Krier won’t be heeding the message of his brother’s song. After all, the biggest moment of his professional career awaits.
Craig Meyer: cmeyer@post-gazette.com and Twitter @CraigMeyerPG.
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