Merion Golf Club Pro Wins Pennsylvania Open

Mark Sheftic, the teaching pro at , realized the difference in golf when he turned pro. A day on the course in a pressure-packed environment with a trophy and money on the line is far different than a day on the back nine with friends.

“Tournament golf is a lot different than social golf,” Sheftic said. “The only way to get used to it is to play in tournaments. You hope to get into a situation where you have a big enough lead. You have to stay focused, whether you have a two-shot lead, a three-shot lead or a four-shot lead, you’ve got to play hard until that putt falls.”

Sheftic played hard enough to win the Pennsylvania Open last week at the Moselem Springs Golf Club in Fleetwood. The Blue Bell native finished with a score of 205, which was enough to win the event by one stroke.

Sheftic almost let the tournament slip away on the final hole as he sent a shot into the trees. Despite a double-bogey, hecame away with the state title. And while the final hole provided a scare, Sheftic was able to keep his composure and work his way back onto the greens.

“I made it more dramatic than I had to,” said Sheftic. “I had a three-shot lead going to the last hole, and I got a little nervous. I did everything you’re not supposed to do, but everything in the long run worked out.”

Sheftic’s accomplishment is even more remarkable considering how his grueling schedule limits his practice time on the golf course. As an instructor-pro at  (coupled with family time), there's not an abundance of extra time on the links.

Unfazed

Sheftic had some breathing room heading into the final day of play after a brilliant second round. Picking up birdies in three consecutive holes, he finished five under par for the day. He kept rolling in the final round with birdies on the 10th and 12th hole and built a four-shot lead. It was the cushion needed to survive his scare on the final hole.

Sheftic has been playing professionally since 1998. His experience in PGA events has helped him keep his cool in tournaments like the Pennsylvania Open. He was unfazed by the pressure-packed environment as spectators watched his every shot down the stretch.

“The PGA definitely helped me with the experience of playing in front of galleries,” Sheftic said.  “I had never played in front of galleries of that magnitude.  When I was on the first tee at the PGA, I remember telling my caddy that airborne was a good shot.”

“I really don’t practice much,” said Sheftic.  “When I do have time, you learn to get the most out of your practice.  The more time I spent on the range, the more I became a worse golfer with the job demands that I have and trying to balance family and playing.”

There may have been a side of Sheftic that was hoping to be at the PGA Championship.  However, Sheftic was more than satisfied to walk away with the crown at the Pennsylvania Open.  After participating in the PGA for the last two summers, Sheftic had no regrets when it was time to tee off in Fleetwood. 

“You know you’re not going to get in it every year,” Sheftic said.  “If you do get in it, then it’s a bonus.  I was really in a no-lose situation.  I felt even though I didn’t play in the PGA, winning the Pennsylvania Open was really special for me.”