Playing like a Pro–Ridgewood Golfer Keeping Dream Alive

The Ridgewood Country Club hosted the Barclay's golf tournament this past weekend, where golf luminaries like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson graced the Paramus course with their prestige and pedigree. Throughout the event the pros managed to wow the fans with a combination of precision and power, making the most difficult of shots look routine.

Perhaps nobody watched more admiringly than Ridgewood's very own Todd Shagin, because perhaps nobody knows how hard it is to make on tour more than Shagin himself.

Shagin, 25, was a golf prodigy when he graduated from Ridgewood High school (Class of 2003). During his senior year he was named 1st team All County, 1st team All State and 1st team All-American.

After graduation Shagin attended American University, where he would go on to be named 1st team all-Patriot league while qualifying for the U.S. Amateur championship. However, since then Shagin has struggled to keep his dreams of playing on the PGA tour alive.

"I know I have the physical tools to play professionally," said Shagin before adding, "The real question is time. It takes hours and hours of practice to finetune my swing to the point where I could be confident enough to compete with these guys out here."

For those still wondering if Shagin has the talent to compete, alls you have to do is look at his history at the Ridgewood Country Club, where Shagin's best nine-hole round was a 32. By comparison, Mickelson could only manage a 37 and a 34 at this weekend's event.

"Well, I probably have a bit more experience on this course than those guys," said Shagin modestly. "By my estimation, I've played Ridgewood around 300-400 times in my life."

That experience was on full display this Sunday as PGA pro Steve Stricker lined up for a putt on the 17th green. "He's aiming wide right," noted Shagin moments before Stricker watched his put sail right of the hole.

It's moments like these where it's easy to see that Shagin still has an eye for the game.

Currently, Shagin's working as a golf pro at the Sky View Club in Sparta N.J., which helps him to stay in shape.

"I still play almost everyday while also lifting weights, so physically I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life," said Shagin.

On his prospects for a comeback, "In order to be a player on the fringe of the Tour you also need the finances to pay for travel and living expenses, so right now I'm just as focused on saving my money as I am working on my golf game."

Shagin's no stranger to the minor league golf circuit, from 2008-2009 he spent time on the moonlight tour, where he traveled up and down the east coast searching for that ever elusive PGA tour card.

"I know it can be done," said a determined Shagin. "I've played against a lot of the guys here today and I've seen with my own eye's their progression through the ranks. Just a few years ago I played with Dustin Johnson in a little tournament in East Carolina and now Dustin is competing to win U.S. Opens and PGA championships."

Matt Kuchar would go on to win the Barclay's by defeating Martin Laird in a one hole playoff for his first career PGA Tour win. As Kuchar hoisted the trophy on the 18th green, Shagin watched from his living room in admiration.

"That's got to be an amazing feeling," said Shagin before adding, "and I don't just mean winning, I mean the fact that this guy's job is to play the game he loves. I love golf as much as anybody and I'm going to keep playing whether or not I ever make it on tour."