Blue Bell Golfer Heading to PGA Cup

Mark Sheftic knows what its like to play on the U.S. PGA Cup team.  The Blue Bell resident will get another chance to experience the PGA Cup in 2011.

Sheftic is a PGA teaching professional at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore.  He has been playing professionally since 1998 and played on the 2009 U.S. PGA Cup team, which won the cup in Scotland when Sheftic scored the decisive point.

Sheftic is hoping history will repeat itself this year and expects to feel the same emotions he felt the last time he represented his country at the event.

“I got to play on the PGA Cup Team in 2009,” said Sheftic. “I can tell you I never got goosebumps like I did when I was on the first tee and they announced I was representing the United States of America. It just sent a chill up my spine.”

Sheftic will join nine other golfers on the U.S. squad with the final two spots being chosen after the upcoming PGA Championship. The PGA Cup originated in 1973 and brings together PGA club professionals from the United States, Great Britain and Ireland.  While Sheftic will have a better idea of what to expect his second time around, he knows his emotions will still be running high come tee time.

“I’ll kind of know what to expect a little more,” Sheftic said. “Once they do the opening ceremonies and play the anthem and raise the flag, you get into the moment. Once you are out there competing, the emotions take over, and you have 10 guys trying to win the trophy for their country.”

It is no surprise to see Sheftic succeed in golf. The sport has been a part of his life ever since his childhood days.  His father, Ted, was the head pro at Hanover Country Club for 28 years. Sheftic spent much of his time as a youngster at the club with his father and immediately was hooked on the sport.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been around the game,” said Sheftic.  “The great thing with golf is you meet a lot of great people. You can meet people that make such a positive influence.  When I was 16 years old, I got really serious about the game.”

Sheftic’s hard work earned him a college scholarship.  Rather than stay close to home or look for a school with a Division I program, Sheftic headed to Coker College in South Carolina. The Division II school turned out to be the perfect fit for both golf and academics for Sheftic.

“I wanted to get away from home a little bit,” Sheftic said. “I wanted to experience a different part of the country. I got a chance to play year round. If I had gone Division I, I probably would have sat on the bench a little bit.”

Sheftic played the mini tours for nearly five years after turning pro. He began working at the Sunnybrook Golf Club before getting the chance to work at Merion.

Sheftic is thrilled to see what the future holds at the club.

“Merion is a special place with a special membership,” said Sheftic. "We just built a brand new learning center and have the U.S. Open coming in 2013, so we’re excited.”

Sheftic has put together a host of impressive performances as a professional. He finished first in the 2008 Tournament Players’ Division Championship and 2006 AB Thorn Tournament. Sheftic also has a pair of second-place finishes at the Philadelphia Open, as well as three top-10 finishes in the Pennsylvania State Open.

Sheftic had little difficulty adjusting to life as a professional.

“The only big difference is you receive money instead of a gift certificate,” Sheftic said. “You play a lot of amateur golf and play a lot of really good players, then you play as a pro and you get your first big check. The transition from amateur to professional really wasn’t a big deal.”

This year’s PGA Cup will take place in September in San Martin, California. Sheftic is looking forward to not only representing his county, but the Philadelphia area, as well.

“The people here in the Philadelphia area love golf,” said Sheftic.  “There’s a lot of tradition and a rich history in the area. I think northeast golf is some of the best in the country.”