Former Marine shoots for card

By BRANT JAMES

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 3, 2000

BROOKSVILLE -- Many his age would be dreaming of the slow wind-down of their present career. The ex-Marine in Reb Brown won't allow that.

At age 49, he begins the first phase of his hopeful next career today when the Spring Hill resident undertakes the PGA "Play Ability Test" for aspiring teaching professionals at Sherman Hills.

To gain a "Class A" card, a prerequisite to be hired as a head pro at a golf club, prospects must first average a 152 over 36 holes -- women require a 159 -- in the "PAT', then complete various seminars that may take up to two years.

"I'm pretty nervous. That's pressure," said Brown, who's taking the PAT for the first time. "I don't think I'll feel the pressure, though, until about the 35th hole. You have to make that score."

Brown, a retired owner of a flooring company and an assistant club pro at Rivard for 10 months, will join 55 other prospects from as far away as north Georgia at Sherman Hills. He expects to spend about $5,000 in pursuing his card, but said, "If you get a good head pro job, you can easily make that back in lessons."

The player with a plus-2 handicap said he has his mind on the PGA Senior Tour.

"Why not?" Brown said. "I'd like to give that one shot."

Valerie Brown, director of instruction at Sherman Hills, remembers the pressure involved in such a qualifier and is happy she's six years removed from her first PAT in South Carolina.

"It's nerve-wracking," she said. "About 10-to-15 percent pass, and that's a lot of pressure.

"You have to be able to play some very good golf to make it," she said, "and if you shoot an 80 that first round, you know you better shoot a 72 the next."

PATs are held about every three months but are widely scattered throughout the country. Reb Brown will likely have to travel to undertake the written phases of the certification.

"Once he passes the PAT, and I am convinced he will, we set him up for seminar," said Rivard head pro Tony Reeves.

"There's an 8-to-10-month waiting list to get into one of these, and they could be anywhere in the country. He could luck out and get one in Orlando, or it could be Bend, Ore."

Reb Brown said he isn't daunted that most in the PAT today will be recent college graduates at least half his age.

"I could be 30 years older than some of them," he said. "It doesn't matter. I feel like I'm 20.

"I know I have two more full years of work ahead of me, but after being a Marine for 21 years, if you want something, you go get it. This is a sport where you can teach into your 80s or 90s. Who wants to retire at 49 anyway?"

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: Brooksville's Fred Farmer, a freshman-to-be at Hernando High School, carded a 134 over 33 holes this weekend to win the boys' advanced 15-year-old division in the North Suncoast Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions at World Woods. Farmer beat Lutz's Adam Hoyer (135) by shooting one stroke better in the final round.

Brooksville's James Futrell was second (80), five strokes off the lead in boys' intermediate (13-18). Brooksville's Adam Mallek was third (153), 20 shots behind in the boys' advanced 13-year-old bracket.

GARY KOCH: A Hernando County junior finished in four of the top six teams in the Gary Koch Pro-Junior last weekend at TPC of Tampa. The event is held annually by the West Central Chapter Junior Golf Association.

John Jachimowicz was a member of the second-place group; Keegan Ledford helped his team finish third; Mario DeAngelis was fifth; Lee SingKorn and Tara Allen were on the sixth-place finisher.

HEATHER LADIES: Helen Bourne, Anita Rotsch, and Peg Lilly each shot a 15 on Tuesday to win the first flight in the Heather Ladies Golf League "Five best holes times handicap" competition.

Rosemary Leonard won the second flight, and Mary LaHowchic, Carole Taylar and Cathy Gritmon (15) took the third flight.

HEATHER MEN: Miles Karson shot a 29 on July 26 to win the first flight in the Heather Men's League "Individual less handicap" competition.

Lyle Short (30), Ray Lilly (32) and Bob Loss (32) followed.

Elmore Hinson (30) won the second flight, followed by Merle LeVasseur, Andy Leonard and Frank Magyar (32). Ron Carlson and Tony Klimbal (26) tied atop the third flight.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.