This is not a tale of missed opportunities or falling short of your dreams; Tom Scherrer has reached his.
The Citizen File Photo
Skaneateles native Tom Scherrer is living his dream as a professional golfer.
Skaneateles native Tom Scherrer is living his dream as a professional golfer.
For a brief moment in 2000, he was at the peak of golf. After eight years clawing his way toward the top of the PGA Tour, Scherrer claimed his first victory, winning the Kemper Open, outplaying some of golf's best one weekend.
Despite the impressive showing, Scherrer couldn't duplicate the success. He made it to the pinnacle of his profession only to quickly fall into obscurity. After his Kemper win, Scherrer struggled with his game and within three years, was back in golf's minor leagues, the Nationwide Tour.
Instead of hanging up his clubs, Scherrer used the demotion as an inspiration. Now, the Skaneateles native is within striking distance of regaining his PGA Tour card.
”It wasn't like losing a dream,“ Scherrer said of losing his Tour card. ”I knew with hard work I could get back. Maybe it was more of a wake-up call.“
In 2005, Scherrer has certainly regained his championship swing and has been one of the most consistent golfers on the Nationwide Tour. He is currently ranked third on the tour with seven top-10 finishes and sixth in scoring average (69.93).
Although he hasn't won a tournament (he's finished both second and third), Scherrer said his statistics this season are as fulfilling as they've ever been.
”It feels very good,“ he said. ”I'm most pleased with my stats. I'm second in ball striking, first or second in greens in regulation. My driving accuracy hasn't been better. My stats are very solid and that's what I'm most happy about.“
While his playing statistics are quite impressive, the most important stat for Scherrer may be his position on the money list. At the end of each season, the top-20 money leaders on the Nationwide Tour automatically receive PGA Tour cards for the following season. Currently, Scherrer is ranked 16th on the money list with three tournaments remaining.
Many golfers might feel pressured with so much on the line down the stretch, but Scherrer couldn't be more cool and confident.
”It's easier; I feel like I'm playing good,“ Scherrer said. ”Some guys are going in the wrong direction, and I know how that feels. But I think I'm getting stronger every week. I know I'm playing good and I'm going in the right direction.“
Scherrer got off to a rocky start in the 2005 Nationwide season. He missed a few cuts early and was struggling with his putting. But things began turning around once the summer began. In his last 13 events, he has only missed two cuts and has finished in the top-10 six times.
”The first few months I was a little up and down,“ he said. ”I may have played a lot better than I showed for it. But since, I've had a bunch of top 10s and I may not have won a tournament, which I would have liked, but I've been one of the most consistent guys out there. I've been playing pretty solid.“
Although Scherrer was on the PGA Tour in 1996 and from 1999 to 2003, if he makes it back in 2006 it might be his greatest accomplishment. When he first qualified for the PGA Tour in 1996, there was only a limited number of foreign players playing in the United States. Almost 10 years later, the number of foreign-born golfers has skyrocketed while the number of spots on the PGA Tour has remained the same.
”It's not football or basketball or baseball,“ Scherrer said. ”Unlike those sports, golf hasn't expanded over the years. Every year 125 guys get to keep their jobs. When I first started I think there were only 27 foreign players on the Tour. Now, there's 78. Golf is a sport that's exploding throughout the world. There's only so many spots per year. It's a numbers game.“
Scherrer admits he wasn't depressed when he lost his Tour card. Unlike 10 years ago when he started playing professionally, he has little kids to watch after. When he didn't get his card back, he took some time off to spend with his family. Today, Scherrer's family still comes first, but he's hoping to make them even more proud next year with his play on the PGA Tour.
”My goal is to play good golf,“ he said. ”I would preferably like to do that on the PGA Tour. Naturally, you want to test yourself against the best players in the world. It would be nice playing for $4 million instead of $400,000, too.“
Scherrer also said he would feel more confident in his second go-around in the big leagues.
”Number one, I know the courses now - that's a huge advantage,“ he said. ”I know pretty much all the players. Hopefully I can get there and feel comfortable. I see a lot of rookies take a lot of adjustment time.“
As the Nationwide season comes to a close, Scherrer and many other competitors are vying for only a few spots on the PGA Tour. For most of the golfers, a Tour card would mean a complete change in lifestyle and a complete change in their work environment. It's a shock for many young golfers but for Scherrer, a promotion back to the PGA Tour would only seem natural.
”You're in the major leagues,“ he said. ”On Nationwide, you could go maybe two or three days and not have a crowd. On the PGA Tour, you have a minimum 50 to 60,000 spectators on weekends.“
Whether he gets his card or not, Scherrer is thrilled with the way he's golfed this year. He's more confident and composed than ever, and he plans on maintaining that high level of play for years to come.
”It's probably been my best year, stats-wise,“ Scherrer said. ”Hopefully I can continue this for another 10 years. I'm happy with everything.“
Despite the impressive showing, Scherrer couldn't duplicate the success. He made it to the pinnacle of his profession only to quickly fall into obscurity. After his Kemper win, Scherrer struggled with his game and within three years, was back in golf's minor leagues, the Nationwide Tour.
Instead of hanging up his clubs, Scherrer used the demotion as an inspiration. Now, the Skaneateles native is within striking distance of regaining his PGA Tour card.
”It wasn't like losing a dream,“ Scherrer said of losing his Tour card. ”I knew with hard work I could get back. Maybe it was more of a wake-up call.“
In 2005, Scherrer has certainly regained his championship swing and has been one of the most consistent golfers on the Nationwide Tour. He is currently ranked third on the tour with seven top-10 finishes and sixth in scoring average (69.93).
Although he hasn't won a tournament (he's finished both second and third), Scherrer said his statistics this season are as fulfilling as they've ever been.
”It feels very good,“ he said. ”I'm most pleased with my stats. I'm second in ball striking, first or second in greens in regulation. My driving accuracy hasn't been better. My stats are very solid and that's what I'm most happy about.“
While his playing statistics are quite impressive, the most important stat for Scherrer may be his position on the money list. At the end of each season, the top-20 money leaders on the Nationwide Tour automatically receive PGA Tour cards for the following season. Currently, Scherrer is ranked 16th on the money list with three tournaments remaining.
Many golfers might feel pressured with so much on the line down the stretch, but Scherrer couldn't be more cool and confident.
”It's easier; I feel like I'm playing good,“ Scherrer said. ”Some guys are going in the wrong direction, and I know how that feels. But I think I'm getting stronger every week. I know I'm playing good and I'm going in the right direction.“
Scherrer got off to a rocky start in the 2005 Nationwide season. He missed a few cuts early and was struggling with his putting. But things began turning around once the summer began. In his last 13 events, he has only missed two cuts and has finished in the top-10 six times.
”The first few months I was a little up and down,“ he said. ”I may have played a lot better than I showed for it. But since, I've had a bunch of top 10s and I may not have won a tournament, which I would have liked, but I've been one of the most consistent guys out there. I've been playing pretty solid.“
Although Scherrer was on the PGA Tour in 1996 and from 1999 to 2003, if he makes it back in 2006 it might be his greatest accomplishment. When he first qualified for the PGA Tour in 1996, there was only a limited number of foreign players playing in the United States. Almost 10 years later, the number of foreign-born golfers has skyrocketed while the number of spots on the PGA Tour has remained the same.
”It's not football or basketball or baseball,“ Scherrer said. ”Unlike those sports, golf hasn't expanded over the years. Every year 125 guys get to keep their jobs. When I first started I think there were only 27 foreign players on the Tour. Now, there's 78. Golf is a sport that's exploding throughout the world. There's only so many spots per year. It's a numbers game.“
Scherrer admits he wasn't depressed when he lost his Tour card. Unlike 10 years ago when he started playing professionally, he has little kids to watch after. When he didn't get his card back, he took some time off to spend with his family. Today, Scherrer's family still comes first, but he's hoping to make them even more proud next year with his play on the PGA Tour.
”My goal is to play good golf,“ he said. ”I would preferably like to do that on the PGA Tour. Naturally, you want to test yourself against the best players in the world. It would be nice playing for $4 million instead of $400,000, too.“
Scherrer also said he would feel more confident in his second go-around in the big leagues.
”Number one, I know the courses now - that's a huge advantage,“ he said. ”I know pretty much all the players. Hopefully I can get there and feel comfortable. I see a lot of rookies take a lot of adjustment time.“
As the Nationwide season comes to a close, Scherrer and many other competitors are vying for only a few spots on the PGA Tour. For most of the golfers, a Tour card would mean a complete change in lifestyle and a complete change in their work environment. It's a shock for many young golfers but for Scherrer, a promotion back to the PGA Tour would only seem natural.
”You're in the major leagues,“ he said. ”On Nationwide, you could go maybe two or three days and not have a crowd. On the PGA Tour, you have a minimum 50 to 60,000 spectators on weekends.“
Whether he gets his card or not, Scherrer is thrilled with the way he's golfed this year. He's more confident and composed than ever, and he plans on maintaining that high level of play for years to come.
”It's probably been my best year, stats-wise,“ Scherrer said. ”Hopefully I can continue this for another 10 years. I'm happy with everything.“
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