LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Will another block party break out at this week’s PGA Championship like it did at Oak Hill last year?
What does Michael Brock, a club pro from Mission Viejo, Calif., have in store for his encore this week at Valhalla, where he qualified last year after finishing tied for 15th?
“It was definitely a magic carpet ride,” Bullock said of last year’s run, when he teamed up with Rory McIlroy for an ace on the 15th hole. “To tell you the truth, I literally felt like that all week. It was an almost hazy, surreal moment, exactly the kind of moment someone sitting at home would imagine.
“It feels like someone is walking into your house. [like] If someone walks up to your house, knocks on your door, and opens your door, they win $10 million. Minus the $10 million, that’s exactly what it felt like to me. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
“I love every moment of it, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, the tournaments I’ve competed in. Hopefully, this work will inspire more people to do the same.”
Brock is one of 21 club pros competing this week, but he still finds himself in disbelief when he thinks back to last year.
“I couldn’t believe my game held up four days in a row at Oak Hill,” he said. “That golf course is really difficult, especially when it rained on Saturday and I lost my roll and had a two-hour, 10-minute tee time with Rosie.” [Justin Rose]. He shot a 70 that day, and on Sunday he and Rory shot a 71 that captured the attention of golfers around the world, but it was hard to believe that the 47-year-old club pro’s swing and putting stroke had somehow held up all that time. I couldn’t. ”
From that week on, Brock’s life changed.
He soon received invitations from numerous sponsors to participate in tournaments around the world.
I rode it quite a bit.
“The sad thing is that I haven’t been able to teach since then,” Block said. “I was so busy, going out, playing, doing all sorts of things, that I had to leave all my students to other instructors, which was disappointing. In the office, I close the door. I have to leave it alone, but it’s a shame.
“Usually it’s open so I can say hello to my assistants and people passing by, but there’s been so much people and stuff that I can’t leave the door open. It’s crazy, but like I said before. Like, everyone is back in the club having fun.
“I have the full support of management and the owners.” [his club Arroyo Trabuco]And the assistant pros who literally took care of the golf clubs while I was gone. I can’t thank them enough for all they do. ”
When asked if there’s another Block story in store among the other 20 club pros in the field this week, he said:A man named John Summers once told me [from Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, Fla.]I haven’t met him yet, but he’s probably one of the longest players on the field. He also knows Braden Shattuck, who won last year. He bombs it. he’s a great player.He almost qualified in Myrtle Beach last week. [S.C.]an incredible talent.
“And Ben Poland, who won the national championship this year, is definitely a good player. He’s perfect. His game is very consistent. He’s perfect for major championships. Even if one of them is very I wouldn’t be surprised if they did well.”
