McLachlin's path to island glory quieter, but effective
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
HONOLULU, Hawaii -- He used to vacuum the pro shop and clean the toilets at Waialae Country Club in exchange for playing privileges.
This week, Parker McLachlin will drive a courtesy car up to the clubhouse where he used to work, take his clubs out of the trunk and play for $5.4 million at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Sometimes McLachlin would island-hop and volunteer at the old Kapalua International, too. As an 11-year-old he worked as a standard bearer in Fred Couples' group and even snagged one of the pro's divots for a friend, who still has it saved in a plastic bag.
Last week, that friend, Anna Umemura, and her fiancé went to Maui to watch McLachlin play in the Mercedes-Benz Championship on the Plantation Course. Only this time, Umemura, who played collegiately at Tennessee, planned to save one of McLachlin's divots.
Only PGA TOUR winners get to start their seasons at the Mercedes-Benz Championship so that means McLachlin has had a pretty good run over the last 12 months.
"It's definitely a dream come true," the reigning Legends Reno-Tahoe Open champion said.
That victory notwithstanding, though, ask someone on the mainland and McLachlin probably isn't the best-known golfer from Hawaii. That distinction would undoubtedly go to the enormously talented Michelle Wie or even diminutive young Tadd Fujikawa, who weighed 31 ounces at birth and has a story that tugs at the heartstrings.
McLachlin, though, isn't concerned that his profile might not be as high as that of the two teens.
"I definitely feel appreciated," said McLachlin, who has the lanky body and laid-back air of a man who can ride the waves. "This is home to me. This is where your friends and family are. It's such a small community. They're pulling for you in whatever you do.
"If you have a connection with Hawaii they want to see you succeed in whatever you do."
McLachlin has taken a more traditional route to success that hasn't always garnered the headlines that Wie and Fujikawa have. The same can be said of Dean Wilson, who is 10 years older than McLachlin, and also a PGA TOUR winner.
McLachlin was toiling on the mini-tours the first time Wie made one of her much publicized forays to play against the men. He earned a degree in sociology at UCLA before turning pro like Fujikawa did as a 16-year-old.
The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association provided all three with an opportunity to play, though. To give back, McLachlin has pledged $50 for every birdie he makes in his personal West Coast swing -- which is matched by his sponsor, Waiakoloa Beach Resort -- to the HSJGA to help buy equipment and fund travel for aspiring youngsters.
"We're just trying to help the next Parker McLachlins up through the ranks and give kids that opportunity to have a shot even if they don't have a lot of money," he said.
McLachlin got his shot when tied for 16th at the 2006 PGA TOUR qualifying school. He went on to finish 137th on the money list and made another successful trip back to the grueling six-round test the following year, with the 2008 season providing his breakthrough.
McLachlin fired a career-best 62 that tied the course record in the second round at Reno last summer. He owned a four-stroke lead at the midway point of the event and was up by six entering the final round. Despite a 2-over 74 on Sunday, McLachlin managed to increase his advantage and beat Brian Davis and John Rollins by seven shots.
The two-year exemption that goes along with victory will afford the third-year TOUR pro job security as he strives to get back into contention on a regular basis in 2009.
"Last year was really huge for me," McLachlin said. "Getting that first win under my belt was extremely important. I think this year -- I refocus and look at how I can continue to get better. I really think that the best is yet to come.
"This is not just a one-time thing for me. It's on an upward trend. I think '09 is going to be a really solid year for me."
Helen Ross is PGATOUR.COM's Chief of Correspondents. Her opinion does not necessarily reflect that of the PGA TOUR.
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