David Merkow

David Bartos Merkow (born May 5, 1985) is a long-hitting American golfer.[1][2]

David Merkow
Personal information
Full nameDavid Bartos Merkow
Born (1985-05-05) May 5, 1985
Boston, Massachusetts
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight210 lb (95 kg; 15 st)
Nationality United States
ResidenceHartland, Wisconsin
Career
CollegeNorthwestern University
StatusProfessional
Current tour(s)NGA Hooters Tour
Achievements and awards
Gold Medal
Individual Golf Competition
(Open Division)
Pan American Maccabi Games		2008
Gold Medal
Team Golf Competition (U.S.)
Pan American Maccabi Games		2008

He won the World Junior Masters tournament boys 14–15 division as a youth in 2000, and the American Junior Golf Association's SLI Junior Classic boys division two years later. In June 2005 he and a former high school teammate won the Wisconsin State Golf Association Best-Ball title.

For college, he attended Northwestern University. There, he won the individual title at the Second Annual Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge in 2005, was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year in 2006, and finished his college career 6th in Northwestern's all-time stroke average, at 74.27.[3]

In 2008, playing in Argentina in the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games, he won two gold medals; both in the individual competition, and with the U.S. team in the team competition. In 2010 he was playing in the NGA Hooters Tour.

Early life and high school

Merkow was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Hartland, Wisconsin, 30 miles (48 km) from Milwaukee.[4] His grandfather taught him how to play golf.[4] In August 2000, he won the World Junior Masters tournament boys 14–15 division with a 227.[5][6] In August 2002, he won the American Junior Golf Association's SLI Junior Classic boys division in New Seabury, Massachusetts, with a 212 (2 over par).[7]

In Arrowhead Union High School in Hartland,[8] he was co-Captain of the golf team in his senior year,[9] and was a two-time all-state honoree (as a junior and senior, in 2002 and 2003).[10][11]

He was one of only three Jewish students at the high school.[12] Speaking about being Jewish, Merkow observed: "It does drive me. When I make it on [the PGA] Tour, I'd like it to be known that I'm Jewish. Whether it's wearing my Star of David [around his neck], or having a Chai on my [golf] bag, I want to show that there are good Jewish athletes."[12]

College

He chose to attend Northwestern University,[12] where he was an economics major.[4]

Merkow won the individual title at the Second Annual Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge in October 2005, and led his team to the team title.[13][14][15][16] He beat 2005 NCAA Champion James Lepp, with a 54-hole career-best score of 209 (7-under).[16][17][18] In April 2006, at the 36th Robert Kepler Intercollegiate he took third place, with a 1-over 217.[19] He was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week on March 2, 2006.[20]

In 2006, he was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year.[1] He was the first golfer from Northwestern to win the award since Luke Donald in 2001.[13] He was also ranked number one in the Golfweek/Sagarin Big Ten Player Ratings for the year.[13] During 2005–06, he was in the top 20 in a total of six tournaments.[13][21]

In April 2007, after he finished tied for 4th at the Kepler Intercollegiate, he optimistically said: "We've significantly underachieved this year. But no one will remember this if we win another Big Ten championship."[22][23] In May 2007, however, his team narrowly missed the cut for the NCAA Championships which it had participated in the prior year, by a mere two strokes at the NCAA Central Regional Championship.[24][25]

His teammate Kyle Moore said that: "It's hard to gauge how long he hits. If he [were] on the PGA Tour, he'd be one of the longest drivers out there."[4] His coach Pat Goss observed that his skill at hitting iron shots into the wind distinguished him from other golfers.[4] Speaking of Merkow in 2007, Goss predicted: "He is someone who is on the cusp of really doing something spectacular. He has a lot of talent."[26]

Merkow graduated in June 2007, and ended his career 6th in Northwestern's all-time stroke average, at 74.27.[3][4][12] In addition to his Conference Player of the Year honors, he was twice named All-Big Ten,[27][28] was named to the Ping All-Midwest Region team,[29] and was Academic All-Big Ten.[3][30]

International career

Merkow, playing in his first Maccabi Games, won a gold medal in the individual competition in the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games (which ended on January 2, 2008) at Hacoaj Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[12][31][32] He had a score of 282 (−10), competing in the age 18-and-up open division, winning with a 67 in the last round.[12] He also won a second gold medal as the U.S. bested second-place Argentina in the team competition.[12][31] For the first time he met cousins of his who lived in the city, and said: "It was absolutely unbelievable. It could not have been more special. I gave them one of my gold medals."[12]

U.S. career

In June 2004, at the age of 18, he was a semifinalist at the Wisconsin State Golf Association Match Play Championship.[33]

In June 2005, he and former high school teammate Charlie Delsman won the Wisconsin State Golf Association Best-Ball title.[34][35] In the 2005 Wisconsin State Golf Association Match Play Championship's last match, he lost 3 and 1.[36]

In July 2006, he tied for fourth with a 289 at the Wisconsin 105th State Amateur Championship.[37]

Merkow also played in the United States Golf Association U.S. Amateurs. In 2006 he played at the 7,473-yard (6,833 m) Hazeltine National Golf Club course in Minnesota, with his 71 being the second-lowest score in the 312-player field after the first day of stroke play.[38][39] He was a quarter-finalist. He beat Malaysian golfer Ben Leong 5–3 in the first round.[40][41][42] But he lost in the second round of match play to stroke-play medalist Billy Horschel, 3 and 1.[42][43][44][45][46]

Merkow won the August 2007 U.S. Amateur qualifier at Hartland's Chenequa Country Club with scores of 66 and 64, for a 12-under 130.[44][47] Later than month he played at the 107th U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, where he shot two back-to-back under-2 rounds of 69 to make the round of 64,[48] and was one of just four golfers to put up sub-par numbers in stroke play, but was eliminated in the first round of match play.[3][43][49][50][51] Because stroke play totals don't affect match play results, Merkow had observed: "There are two tournaments this week. Anybody who's in the top 64 can win. It starts over tomorrow."[51] In 2007 he lost to Brendan Gielow 3–2.[52] Making the match play both years, Merkow finished 21st and 2nd in the stroke play portion of the event.

CBS College Sports reported in May 2007 that in a qualifier at North Shore Country Club in Mequon, Wisconsin, Merkow shot a 2-under 70.[8] That score was good enough for a tie for medalist honors,[53][54] and afforded him a spot in the sectional qualifying round for the U.S. Open.[8][55] He said: "My goal is to miss my graduation. It's June 15, which would be the Friday of the U.S. Open."[54] In June 2007, however, he failed to qualify in the sectional qualifying at Scioto Country Club.[56]

He has full status on the Hooters Tour, after winning the 2008 NGA Hooters Tour Ranking School by 4 shots.[57] He has also played on the Gateway Tour.[57]

In May 2010, Merkow advanced to the U.S. Open sectionals with a 69 at a local qualifying round at Illini Country Club.[58]

In July 2015 he married Jordan Scher.[59]

Coaching

He was named assistant men's golf coach at Marquette University in August 2010.[60] He joined the staff of Steve Bailey, his former assistant coach at Northwestern.[30][61]

Awards/honors
  • In 2005 finished in 10th place at the Big Ten Championships.[62]
  • In 2006 named first-team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten Player of the Year.[63]
  • In 2007 named a second-team All-Big Ten.[64]

See also

References
  1. Ryan Hallett (June 2, 2007). "A Conversation With ... David Merkow". Greater Milwaukee Today. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  2. "David Merkow – Tournament Results – Gateway Pro Tour 2010". Gatewaytour.bluegolf.com. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  3. "Northwestern well-represented at the 107th U.S. Amateur: Merkow and Dupont qualify for Match Play". CBS College Sports. August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  4. "Player Profile: Decorated Merkow Eyes Pros". CBS College Sports. May 9, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  5. "Sorenstam leads at LPGA major", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 12, 2000. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  6. "Sports Scoreboard". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. August 11, 2000. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  7. "Merkow claims 2-shot victory at AJGA tourney", Cape Cod Times, August 30, 2002. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  8. "Three 'Cats Qualify for U.S. Open Sectionals: Chris Wilson and David Merkow win their respective local qualifiers". CBS College Sports. May 15, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  9. "Golfers Get the Message; Arrowhead Storms Back on Back 9", John Casper Jr., Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 4, 2003. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  10. "All–State Teams: 2002–03 School Year". Wisconsin High School Golf Coaches Association. 2003. Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  11. "All–State Teams: 2001–02 School Year". Wisconsin High School Golf Coaches Association. 2002. Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  12. Austin Greenberg (January 11, 2008). "Wisconsin trio brings home gold medals, fond memories". Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  13. "Big Ten Men's Golf Postseason Honors Announced; Northwestern's Merkow and Indiana's Campillo and Mayer Earn Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. May 2, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  14. "No. 13 Wildcats Eager to Return to Competition". CBS College Sports. February 23, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  15. "Driving for Passing Grades; State Well Represented at PGA Q School", Gary D'Amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 9, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  16. "Northwestern Wins Big Ten/Pac 10 Challenge". Golf Channel. October 7, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  17. "Season Recap: Wildcats Capture Big Ten Title; Grab First NCAA Championships Berth Since 2000: Chris Wilson wins Big Ten individual crown; David Merkow named Big Ten Golfer of the Year". CBS College Sports. June 23, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  18. "Northwestern captures Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge". Chicago Tribune. October 5, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  19. "Wildcats Capture Kepler Intercollegiate Title". CBS College Sports. April 16, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  20. "Big Ten Men's Golf Championships Preview". Big Ten Conference. April 27, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  21. "Big Ten Announces Spring Academic All-Big Ten". Big Ten Conference. June 1, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  22. "NU Snares 4th Place In Columbus". CBS College Sports. April 19, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  23. "Northwestern Finishes Fourth at Weather-Shortened Kepler Intercollegiate: David Merkow and Jonathan Bowers finish with second-round 76's". CBS College Sports. April 15, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  24. "NCAA Cut Line Barely Escapes NU". CBS College Sports. May 22, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  25. "Six Men's Golf Squads Invited to NCAA Regional Play". Big Ten Conference. May 8, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  26. "Wildcats Ready To Start Spring Season With the Always-Challenging Puerto Rico Classic". CBS College Sports. February 23, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  27. Ryan Hallett (May 12, 2007). "Golf". Greater Milwaukee Today. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  28. "Men's Golf Postseason Honors Announced". CBS College Sports. May 2, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  29. Roy Lamberton (June 8, 2006). "Random Thoughts: NU's Amazing Women of Spring". Scout with FoxNews.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  30. "Former Radford Men's Golfer Named Head Coach at Marquette". Ruhighlanders.com. July 27, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  31. "Golf Results – 07 PanAm Games". Maccabi USA. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  32. Tamar Runyan (January 17, 2008). "Thousands Welcomed by Argentine Jewish Community for Athletic Games". The Jewish Press. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  33. Gary D'Amato (June 23, 2004). "Tour Talk; By the Numbers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  34. "WSGA State Amateur", Dan Manoyan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 12, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  35. John McNally (June 6, 2005). "WSGA Bestball Championship; Familiarity breeds prosperity: Delsman, Merkow combine to win state golf competition". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  36. Rick Pledl (July–August 2005). "WSGA Match Play; Johnson Gets His Revenge at State Match Play". Wisconsin Golfer. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  37. "State Amateur Championship; Snappy Comeback Wins It", Gary D'Amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 21, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  38. "Yip, Horschel claim second-round victories at U.S. Amateur". USA Today. August 25, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  39. "Horschel Shoots USGA Record 60 In First Round of U.S. Amateur". CBS College Sports. August 22, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  40. "Ben falls to American". The Star. August 25, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  41. "Noteworthy in Sports", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 24, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  42. "U.S. Amateur; Merkow ousted in Minnesota". Wisconsin Golfer. August 25, 2006. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  43. Anthony Powter (August 23, 2007). "2007 US Amateur Championship". iseekgolf.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  44. "Golf: Koszarek first alternate". The Journal Times. Racine, Wisconsin. August 6, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  45. "Yip, Horschel advance to third round at U.S. Amateur". ESPN. August 25, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  46. "3 Share Lead at Tradition", The Island Packet, August 25, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  47. "U.S. Amateur Qualifying; Merkow makes return trip". Wisconsin Golfer. August 7, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  48. "Murphy in Fifth at U.S. Amateur after Two Rounds". CBS College Sports. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  49. Ron Kroichick (August 23, 2007). "Stanford-bound Kim is home at Olympic". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  50. "Scoreboard; MSGA", Bangor Daily News, August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  51. "Kokrak holds lead as darkness delays field at U.S. Amateur". ESPN. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  52. "Gielow advances at U.S. Amateur with Match Play Victory". CBS College Sports. August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  53. "Catching up With ... Golfer John Turcott", Dan Manoyan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 1, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  54. "US Open Qualifying; MU Sophomore Survives Playoff", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 16, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  55. "Wildcats Begin Regional Action Today". CBS College Sports. May 17, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  56. "Kelly to Play in Open", Gary D'Amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 5, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  57. "Merkow Tabbed Assistant Men's Golf Coach; Wisconsin native is former Big Ten Player of the Year". Gomarquette.com. August 18, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  58. Kane, Dave (May 18, 2010). "Local golfer DQ'd at U.S. Open qualifier". State Journal-Register. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  59. Jordan & David's Glamorous Wedding At The Bently Reserve
  60. Gary D’Amato (August 18, 2010). "Merkow joins MU coaching staff". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  61. Baker, Liana B. (November 18, 2010). "SAC Capital's golf pro has got game". Reuters. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  62. "Wildcats Finish Strong, Place Third at Big Ten Championships". CSTV. May 8, 2005. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  63. "David Merkow Garners All-Big Ten Honors". CBS College Sports. May 1, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  64. "Big Ten Men's Golf Postseason Honors Announced; Northwestern's Merkow and Indiana's Campillo and Mayer Earn Individual Honors". Bigten.org. May 2, 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
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