Marek Strikes Gold in the NCPGA Section Championship at The Olympic Club
PGA Professional Brad Marek from Corica Park has been one of the top players in Northern California since becoming a PGA Member in 2019. In that time, Brad qualified for multiple National PPCs and played in two PGA Championships, which included making the cut in 2021. Brad also will be representing the United States in the biannual PGA Cup versus GB&I in September at Sunriver Resort. With all these accomplishments, Brad was still missing a NCPGA Major on his resume. This all changed at The Olympic Club.
The players were tested not only by the newly renovated Lake Course at The Olympic Club by Gil Hanse but also the famous San Francisco weather. As former Olympic Club member Mark Twain once said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” While the sun did try to make an appearance to warm up the players, Karl the Fog made sure to make that a rarity over the two days.
Despite all these challenges, Brad was a man on a mission. In round one, Brad was the only player to come in under par at 2 under 69 and had a two-shot lead going into the final round. The final round Marek navigated the front nine in even par to still enjoy a two-shot lead. As Brad was making the turn, PGA Professional Andrew Larkin from Santa Clara University was making a charge. Andrew birdied on 10 and 11 to move into a tie for the lead at 2 under par. Brad standing on the 12th tee was in unfamiliar waters for this tournament. He responded with birding 12 and 14 to get to 4 under for the tournament. Andrew made a costly bogey on the par 5 16th to slip to one under. Andrew responded with a birdie on 18 to finish at a tournament low 3 under par 68 for a two-day total of 2 under par 140. Brad had a two-shot cushion standing on the 18th tee. He navigated the tricky 18th to finish at 1 under par 70 for the final and a tournament total of 139 to claim the championship and a spot in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship
Brad already being exempt for the 2025 PGA Professional Championship due to his top 20 finish at the 2024 edition will be joined by PGA Professional Andrew Larkin from Santa Clara University, PGA Professional David Solomon from Diablo Country Club, PGA Professional Michael Nicoletti from Granite Bay Golf Club, PGA Professional Tom Johnson from Meadow Club, PGA Professional Chelso Barrett from CordeValle Golf Club, and PGA Professional Jason Schmuhl from Windsor Golf Club.
This event would not have been possible without our host professionals and sponsors. Thank you to The Olympic Club team PGA MP Director of Golf Matt Jordan, PGA Head Golf Professional Chris Stein, Golf Events Manager Jake Klingeman, Director of Golf Courses Troy Flanagan, and Head Superintendent of the Lake Course Kyle Moore.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor Club Car, Rolex and Corebridge Financial for their support. A big thank you to our contributing sponsors Titleist, Footjoy, Nike, Cadillac, Callaway and Taylormade. Please understand for the continuation of events like this to happen you must show our appreciation and support to those that made this event happen. Please take the time to send everyone listed below an email thanking them for their time and support to making this event happen and be a success.