Welcome to our new series, Get to Know Your Pro: 10 Questions with… where we delve in to what REALLYÂ makes our golf professionals tick!
Up first is Hank Vereschzagin, Â an Apprentice Professional at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, CA.
Hank was born in Sacramento and attended Christian Brothers H.S. and played varsity baseball. He then played Division I baseball at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA. Hank currently carries a plus handicap and is at the beginning stages of working toward his PGA membership.
Hank kindly took a few moments out of his day to answer our questions.
B: If golf had a walkup song to the 1st tee, like in baseball, what would be yours and why?
H: (Laughing) Miserlou by Dick Dale
B: First golf club you ever bought?
H: That would be the Northwestern Chi Chi Rodriguez Set. I saved up an entire year of allowance to purchase on my own. It included the 2-wood, 3-iron, 5-iron, 7-iron, 9-iron and pitching wedge.
B: Who taught you how to golf?
H: Didn’t take first formal lesson until I was 22 from Clyde Daniels at Bing Maloney Golf Course. Before I took lesons I read Ben Hogan’s “5 Lessons” and Jack Nicklaus “Golf My Way”.
B: How many pairs of golf shoes do you own?
H: This may get embarrassing… Oh, let’s see (starts counting under breath)…. 6 Footjoys…. 4 Adidas…. 15 Pairs of golf shoes. Wait. Change that to 18. I have 3 more pair coming!
B: Lowest round ever shot?
H: 63 at Rancho Murieta South Course. First time playing that course. August 25, 2015.
B: What is your least favorite thing to do on a golf course?
H: Shank a golf ball.
B: Favorite Golfers?Â
H: Fave golfers now on Tour?
B: Doesn’t have to be, could be of all time, but if you’d like to go with today’s golfers…
H: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Morgan Hoffman and Lydia Ko.
B:Â Who influenced you the most?
H:Â Influenced me the most? That would have to be Hogan and Nicklaus.
B: Favorite Course to Play?
H: Pasa Tiempo in Santa Cruz. It’s an Alister MacKenzie designed course. In fact, his final home was built there.
B: Who’s swing would you like to have and why?
H: Ben Hogan had one of the best swings ever. Can I pick two?
B: Sure.
H: Tiger Woods in 2000 when he was the best player to swing a club. I model my swing and tempo on VJay Singh and Fred Couples. Everyone has a natural tempo and if I try to mimic theirs, I get my best results.
Thanks, Hank!
Below you’ll find a bonus tip from Hank on drills for distance control putting:
Interested in booking a lesson with Hank? Call the Haggin Oaks Golf Concierge at 916-808-2531 to book, today!
Article created by Barrie March, Marketing Team Member and Graphic Designer.