Never quit attitude helps flight 4 National Champion Ivan Marin

Ivan Marin
2011 Flight Four
National Champion

Ivan's road to the National Championship was a long one since it took him three times at local qualifiers in South Florida to finally earn his way to San Antonio TX earlier this month.

Ivan who is 55 and a real estate broker in South Florida learned a valuable lesson a fews years back when he was competing in a tournament and found himself three stokes off the lead going into the final hole. Keeping his composure Ivan hit his drive landing safely in the fairway while the leader hit his drive into the water eventually scoring a nine on the hole giving Ivan the victory by one. Ivan was quoted “from that  moment on I never quit and keep playing until the end because you never know what's going to happen.” 

As it turned out he needed this positive prospective to prevail at the 2011 National Championship. Playing with a 17 course handicap Ivan started the event with a 49 ( net +4) and well behind the leaders, but he kept playing to shoot a 45 on the back finishing with two pars. By the time he made it to the club house Ivan found himself in a tie for second place and only three strokes off the lead. On the final day Ivan slipped to 4 strokes back after 9 but “you never know whats going to happen” happened on the 13th hole when the leader recorded a 10 putting Ivan in a tie for 1st with five holes to go and Ivan pulled away to win by 4 strokes. 

With his victory not only has he won is first National Championship but he has earned a spot on TEAM USA 2011, where he will travel to South Africa with his fellow team members to become WORLD Champions. When asked “what this means to him” he replied “for me to be on TEAM USA 2011 still sounds a little unreal but I'm sure when we get to South Africa and the world Championship are upon us, my pride will take over. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'am seriously training myself for this event (My Olympics) and I want to keep the tension low as possible since I know the competition is very strong, I will do my best especially now that I am not only playing for myself but for TEAM USA and I take this responsibility very serious.”