For Penn golfer, pro is the only way to go

Some want to be doctors or lawyers from a young age. Some want to emulate heroes and be “like Mike.”

Others have more unique goals in mind.

For as long as Max Marsico can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional golfer.

“I’ve played golf since I was a little kid. I enjoy going to the golf course. The dream is based on pure joy — it’s something I want to do,” Marsico said. “The guys on tour live a great life going around the country. Getting to do something that you love is a dream.”

As of now, though, Marsico is finishing up his junior year at Penn playing collegiate golf for the Quakers. This means that for now, he only gets to see the pros from his couch.

“When I watch golf on TV, I hate it because that’s where I want to be: out there,” Marsico said. “I wanted to be in the event, not the guy talking about the event. I want to be competing in the Masters, not talk about it.”

Who can blame him? If you’re good at something, why not try to be among the best in the world at it?

Marsico is a two time GCAA All-Region (Northeast) golfer who boasts a career low round of 64 at the Princeton Invitational in 2011 — a Penn record for that course.

In the seven competitive rounds he has participated in this season, Marsico’s average score is a 73.0, an improvement over the past two years, when he shot 73.9 and 73.4.

In the fall, he even played at No. 1 for the Quakers at the Ivy League Match Play tournament at Princeton, going 3-0.

To keep up his level of play, Marsico has a role model close by to help him reach the pros. Bob Heintz, the Penn men’s golf team’s head coach, is a former professional golfer and three-time Ivy League champion for Yale.

After a successful run competing against the Quakers as a Bulldog, Heintz tried his luck as a pro. Following his graduation in 1992, Heintz played for six years on the PGA Tour, last competing in 2010.

His best finish in a PGA Tour was a second place finish at the 2010 Reno-Tahoe Open. Heintz’ PGA Tour career included six top-10 and 15 top-25 finishes in 155 events.

Heintz said that he would sit down with Marsico to give him advice on the life of a professional, as well as let him know what parts of his game need improvement.

“We’ll sit down and go over the parts of his game that need improving for him to make a living in golf and we’ll make sure he studies himself up,” Heintz said. “He lives in Vegas, so we’ll make sure he has the facilities to practice. There are a lot of mini tours that he could start out on that are below the PGA.

“He could graduate up to the PGA after working at it. More than anything, it’s important to shoot a low score to get on the tour.”

Marsico knows that he can at least count on his coach to back him up.

“I think he should give it a try. He’s one of the longest players as far as distance in the country,” Heintz said. “He’s talented and I want him to give it a shot. It’s not a pipe dream. A lot of people talk about it without being set up for it, but he’s set up for it.”

Maybe one day, kids will want to be “like Max.”

SEE ALSO:

Brief | Penn finishes 11th at S.C. tournament

Penn women’s golf takes first at Fall Classic

New Penn golf coach discusses his career on PGA Tour

Penn golf gives Heintz first win as coach

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