Saturday, July 14 2012 3:25 PM EDT2012-07-14 19:25:28 GMT
While the PGA Championship isn't until a few more weeks, volunteers are already prepping for the big event. More >>
While the PGA Championship isn't until a few more weeks, volunteers are already prepping for the big event. Celebrating its 94th year, the PGA will for the first time take place in South Carolina at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.More >>
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) -- One of the cool things about the PGA Championship is the 20 Top Club pros in America, just regular guys who make regular salaries, teaching regular joes like you and me. Those pros get to play with the touring champions.
He knows the names on the driving range next to him and he knows...they don't know him.
"I don't see how it could get old," said Matt Dobyns. "It's quite an honor to be out here with these guys, trying to learn as much as I can"
Practice rounds are one thing, but on Thursday, Dobyns teed it up with the big boys. So if Matt Dobyns is a regular guy, will he get the first hole jitters just like us regular guys?
"Yea, I'm sure I will," he said. "That's my caddy's job, to calm me down a bit but yea. I imagine I'll feel jitters I haven't felt in a long time."
A long time is the perfect way to describe how these memories will stay with Dobyns.
"You want to see Tiger. How could you not want to see him so I watched him hit some shots and putts and he's as good as advertised," said Dobyns. "Everybody is here, everyone hits it solid and straight. Length out there is really unbelievable."
He knows it's nearly impossible to win and certainly a long shot to make the cut but just like any golfer, he has goals.
"Just to represent the PGA professionals that aren't here in a way they deserve to be represented, and if that means I make the cut, great. If I don't, I'll have to live with that result too."
It was a rough day for Dobyns. He shot a nine over par 8 but he does say after his round, it was the best he's ever felt out there for shooting such a high score and this experience is something he'll remember for the rest of his life.
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Matt Dobyns (Scott Eisberg/WCIV)
