Mark Anderson Gets His First Big Win

Story by CINDY REID
Photography by SUSAN DELOACH

Beaufort’s own pro golfer Mark Anderson made the news in May with his first professional golf tour title win, which took place in Greenville, South Carolina.
Anderson had joined the Web.com Tour (formerly known as the Nationwide Tour) in 2010 and in his first year he had three Top 10 finishes. The next year he had four Top 10 finishes and made the cut on the Money List to qualify for a PGA Tour card. On the PGA Tour in 2012, he made 13 out of 25 cuts and one Top 10 finish but returned to the Web.com Tour for the 2013 season. The BMW Charity Pro-AM was his 60th start on the Web.com Tour.
“Former South Carolina University player Mark Anderson won the BMW Charity Pro-Am on Sunday May 19 for his first Web.com Tour title, closing with a 6-under 65 at the Thornblade Club for a five-stroke victory. The 27-year-old Anderson had a tournament-record 27-under 259 total, the third-lowest score in relation to par in tour history. He opened with a 63 at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, added a 67 at Greenville Country Club and took a one-stroke lead Saturday with a 64 at Thornblade.” From www.espngolf.com:
Beaufort Lifestyle caught up with Mark and asked him about his first win on tour. He said, “It was nice! It was a huge weight off my shoulders to get this first win. And it was nice to get it at my home state.” He said “I had played two of the courses before so I knew them well.” As to going into the final holes with a sizable lead, he said, “I felt like I was playing well and it felt good to have that lead.”
Anderson now ranks seventh  in Money Leaders on the Web.com Tour, the Top 25 at the end of the season automatically get their PGA Card, which means they will move up to the PGA Tour next year. Anderson says “It feels nice to be in a good position and I am excited to play in the last tournaments of the year.”
After the season ends,  Mark will get a little downtime and he says he likes to stay active in the off season. As befitting a Beaufortonian, he says he loves being on the water, and notes “I have been paddle boarding for three years and now everyone has one so it has really caught on.” A new venture is to combine fishing and paddle boarding so you may see him reeling one in while on the board! Recently married, he says, “My wife and I like to bike.” And they enjoy all the great bike paths and routes throughout the local area. And because this is the Sporting Issue, Beaufort Lifestyle just had to ask what pro teams Mark roots for, and he replied “I am a Panthers fan and an Orioles fan because I grew up in Maryland. The Orioles make it hard sometimes but I still root for them!”
All of Beaufort is rooting for Mark Anderson as he completes the last tournaments on his tour and aims to regain his place on next year’s PGA Tour. Good luck Mark!