Joe Drennan
Sports EditorTanners Brook Golf Course general manager and course designer Dave Tentis is about to compete in his third consecutive PGA Championship this weekend in Kohler, WI, but heís not getting too nervous about it.
Before this summer, Tentis and his wife Gretchen had no children and he could spend more time focusing on his golf game. The two wanted kids but Gretchen simply wasnít getting pregnant so with the help of PGA golfer Kirk Triplett they decided to adopt their daughter Kayden from California.
ìWe were right there for the birth,î Tentis said. ìIt was just a fantastic experience.î
A month after bringing Kayden home Gretchen discovered that she was pregnant.
On June 19, Gretchen gave birth to Marshall, 13 weeks premature and weighing only 2 lbs. 13 oz. Since the birth, Marshall has doubled his weight to 5 lbs. and is doing well. For now Marshall remains in the hospital though as he continues to grow.
ìI got an instant family now,î Tentis said.
The instant family has shifted Tentisí focus from the golf course to home.
ìMy game isnít as good as it was previously,î Tentis said.
PGA Championship
Tentis first competed in the PGA Championship three years ago at Hazeltine National in Chaska where he golfed the first round with Jay Haas and Pierre Fulke. Tentis played all four days in front of a hometown crowd, shooting 76-72-78-78 for a four day total of 304.
ìThere were a ton of people out there and I had a lot of support,î Tentis said.
Last year Tentis made his second appearance at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY. Tentis was unable to make the cut shooting a 77 and 78 for a two round score of 155.
An 11-place finish at the PGA Club Professional Championship held at Longaberger Golf Course in Nashport, Ohio qualified Tentis for this yearís PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI. The PGA Club Professional Championship was the final stage of a three stage process where members of the PGA America can qualify for the PGA Championship.
This yearís PGA Championship is expected to test the playing skills of every golfer as the course at Whistling Straits is the longest in major championship history. Include some lake effect wind from Lake Michigan and the long fairways and Tentis expects some golfers to have troubles.
ìI played the course about a week ago and it is very demanding,î Tentis said. ìItís going to be the ultimate golf skill examination and I think thatís the way it should be.î
To prepare for the wind and longer fairways Tentis has not tried to hit the ball further, but lower to keep the ball down and out of the wind. Tentis hopes to stay patient because he feels that will play a major factor in the Championship as he figures most golfers will get into trouble at some point on the course.
Going into the PGA Championship Tentisí goal is simple, to play at the best level that he can.
ìI would like to play four rounds sure, but I am striving to reach my highest potential,î Tentis said.
Tentis will be traveling to the Championship with his wife and daughter Kayden.
ìItíll be interesting and fun to have her [Kayden] there,î Tentis said. ìI would miss her more if she wasnít there with me. Having Gretchen out there will help too because it is always relaxing to look over at her and it helps keep things in perspective.î
History
Tentis, a White Bear Lake High School graduate first started playing golf at about the age of 13 when he was a caddy at the White Bear Lake Yacht Club.
ìCaddies were allowed to play on Monday mornings so I got pretty good in the next five years that I worked there,î Tentis said.
As a senior at White Bear Lake High School in 1980, Tentis finished second at the state open, then went on to golf at the University of Houston on a golf scholarship. Being in Houston allowed Tentis to hone his skills year round where he developed into an All-American and helped his team to become NCAA champions in 1982.
In 1984 Tentis qualified for the Masters as an amateur. He didnít make the cut, but it was an experience he wouldnít forget.
ìThe course [Augusta National] is phenomenal,î Tentis said. ìIt is everything people say it is and more.î
In 1985 Tentis turned pro by passing a players agility course then passing some exams for PGA America. Tentisí original goal was to play on the PGA Tour but an injury has prevented that dream from being fulfilled.
Editors Note: There will be a recap of Tentisí PGA Championship play in next weeks paper.
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