Sometimes dreams really do come true. Just ask Kurt Slattery who qualified on Monday for the John Deere Classic, an event the Illinois native has had his eye on playing in since he was just seven years old! But wait, that’s not all. It was the way the 27-year-old assistant pro did it that made it that much more unbelievable.
The Quad-City Times has the full report:
By sinking a pair of clutch shots for eagle in Monday’s John Deere Classic Open Qualifier, Kurt Slattery went from JDC hopeful to hometown hero at Pinnacle Country Club on Monday afternoon.
With his round of 67, Slattery found himself among seven golfers tied for the fourth and final qualifying spot. All seven lined up for a sudden-death playoff round at the 10th hole, a par-4, with a trip to the JDC at TPC Deere Run on the line.
When the former Rockridge and Western Illinois standout sunk his estimated 44-yard shot for eagle in the playoff following his straight-ahead drive, emotions from friends and family immediately erupted. That shot capped off a miraculous finish for Slattery, who also eagled 18 to put himself in position to reach a potential playoff.
Local assistant pro Kurt Slattery eagled 18 at @JDClassic‘s qualifier to get in a playoff, then eagled from 44 yards to get in the event. https://t.co/9ZFveLO1jc
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) July 11, 2017
“Standing on the 18th tee when I was 3-under par, I knew I had to make eagle to do it,” said Slattery of getting his score to where it could hopefully compete. “And I did it. And to cap it off by holing out on the playoff was truly a dream come true.”
After eight straight trips to the JDC qualifying event, the Taylor Ridge resident realized his dream of competing in the local PGA Tour stop.
“This is the best day of my life,” said Slattery. “I am so excited for what lies ahead. And you know what, I’ll go into John Deere with the utmost confidence that I can play with anybody in the world. And if I bring my ‘A’-game, I’ll be ready to contend.”
That’s the beautiful thing about golf. One swing – and the right attitude – can change your entire life.
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