Kratzert was born in Quantico, Virginia[1] when his father was in the service but spent most of his youth in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he attended Elmhurst High School.

[1] Kratzert, after two failed attempts at earning his Tour card, quit golf and worked as a forklift operator.

[4] After eight months at that job, Kratzert returned to golf and succeeded on his third attempt in 1976 to get his PGA Tour card.

Since turning 50 in June 2002, Kratzert has played some on the Champions Tour with his best finish a T10 at the 2003 Royal Caribbean Golf Classic.

His sister, Cathy Gerring, is also a professional golfer and has won three times on the LPGA Tour.