Back on course: Greenwich golfer returns for second try at PGA Championship

Golfer Danny Balin has earned the opportunity to live his dream -- for the second year in a row. Balin, 29, PGA Professional and Assistant Golf Professional at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, recently qualified for the 93rd PGA Championship, which will take place Aug. 8-14, at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. There, he will be playing against the likes of Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood -- and U.S. Open champ Rory McIlroy.

This comes on the heels of Balin qualifying for last year's PGA Championship, which was held at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. At the time he said, "It's every young golfer's dream to qualify for a major." And now he's back.

Greenwich Citizen caught up with Balin recently, via e-mail, to chat about golf, his game and the PGA Championship.

You play out of Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich. What is your role at Burning Tree?

I am an Assistant Golf Professional/Junior Golf Instructor/Teaching Professional here at Burning Tree Country Club. I help run the Ladies and Men's Golf Tournaments as well as run our Junior Golf Programs.

As a teacher of the game, what is the most common mistake you see made by amateur golfers?

The most common mistake I see is the "Over the Top" move creating a slicing motion and left to right spin on the golf ball creating a SLICE.

Do you have, say, a top five tips for the amateur golfer?

a. Make sure you setup to the golf ball the proper way at address.

b. Practice the way you would play on the course.

c. Practice your putting --

3-ft., 4-ft. and 5-ft. putts and you should never three-putt again.

What is the one part of your game that you need to work on the most?

The one part of my game that I need to work on the most and spend the most time on is my putting and short game. 60% of all of my shots are from 100 yards and in, and if I can chip and putt it well, then low scores are always possible.

What's the lowest score you ever carded?

63 -- Course Record -- Hershey Country Club, final round of the PGA Professional National Championship.

How about your longest drive? Did you ever just really get a hold of one?

Living in Colorado, I hit one 420 yards on a 430-yard par 4.

Any hole-in-ones?

One hole-in-one. My only hole-in-one came while playing with my brother and his best friend, the day before he was getting married, at the golf course that he was getting married at.

What are some of your favorite courses to play?

a. Old Oaks, Purchase, NY

b. Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY

c. Fairview CC, Greenwich

d. Sunningdale CC, Scarsdale, NY

e. Sebonack, East Hampton, NY

You recently qualified for the 93rd PGA Championship, Aug. 8-14, at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. by finishing in the top 20 on June 29 at the 44th PGA Professional National Championship at Hershey (Pa.) Country Club. Tell us a little about your performance at Hershey.

Leading up to the PGA Professional National Championship, I had been playing great. Shot the course record at my old club, Sunningdale CC, 64, the week before and had been practicing hard gearing up for the event. The PNC is a four-round tournament so it is a long week and you can't win the event on the first day -- but you can definitely lose it. I did not play very well the first round, shooting 75. I did not hit my driver very well, which is usually one of my strong points about my game.

After Day 1, I knew I needed to play well just to make the cut. It's funny, going into the week I wanted to win. After Day 1, I was fighting for my life, just trying to make the cut. The second round was exciting. I got off to a great start birdieing two out of the first three holes. Then I made a bogey and shot 1-under on the front. Then I went to the back knowing I needed to play great. I bogeyed 11 to get to even for the round and 4-over for the tournament. I then went on to chip in on 12 or 13 for birdie, then birdied 13, 14, 15 and made a 20-footer on 17 knowing I needed to get to even to make the cut, and I did.

So, I was at even par praying to make the cut and I did on the number.

The final two rounds are its own tournament. Players work on trying to get into the top 20 to make the PGA Championship cut. The third round, I started finding my game again. I shot a 1-under 70 and stood in tied for 34th place going into the most important round of my life. The final round -- knowing that I needed to play amazing to make it in the top 20. And I did. Everything I have been working on for the last three or four years really came out on that final round. Knowing I needed to do something special, I shot the round of my life and set the new course record and low tournament round in the PNC, 63, to move up 34 spots to 4th place and secured my second trip in a row to the PGA Championship. So, I was very excited and would say that the week and my performance were awesome and very gratifying.

What does qualifying for the PGA Championship mean to you?

Qualifying for the PGA Championship is a dream come true. It is unbelievable -- words can't describe the feeling, but I am very happy and excited and encouraged that all my hard work, long hours, early mornings, and time practicing have really started to pay off. The PNC is the elite tournament as a PGA Member that we can play in. Every PGA Member dreams of playing in the PNC because the event is treated like a tour event and gives us a chance to make it to the PGA. To represent PGA Members across the country at the PGA Championship is unbelievable.

Have you ever played the Atlanta Athletic Club before?

I have never been to the Atlanta Athletic Club or played there before.

What can you tell us about the course?

From what I have seen, the golf course looks very long and narrow, with amazing green complexes. Seems like you have to really hit the driver well and position your ball off the tee properly to have any chance at being aggressive with second shots to the greens.

How is it suited to your game?

I feel that, from pictures, the golf course is going to suit my game very well as I drive the ball pretty straight and keep it in play off the tee.

This is the second time you qualified for the PGA Championship. Last year, you played at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. How did that go? Were you pleased with your game?

Last year at Whistling Straits was unbelievable. It was my first ever Major. Whistling Straits will definitely be close to my heart for the rest of my life. What an amazing piece of property they have in Wisconsin. The week was unbelievable with all my family and friends coming to support me and just taking in all the excitement that came along with a Major Championship. My game kind of left me a little that week but all in all it was probably the most exciting golf experience of my life so far and hopefully I can do better this time around at a course that looks to suit my game a little better.

What do you need to do in Atlanta to improve on your finish?

To improve on my finish from last year, I need to play my game and not get too involved with all the excitement that is going on around me during the week. I need to stay focused on the task at hand and also take in the atmosphere because it's not every day that we get to play in front of thousands of people. I need to control my nerves a little better and really be patient. It is going to be a long week and very hot, so taking my time and staying hydrated is key for me to be successful.

Any predictions?

Of course I would like to win, but not sure that is a realistic goal. I would like to make the cut and be the Low Club Pro, but also try and come in the top 20. I need to play well the first two rounds and hopefully give myself a chance to improve going into the final two days. I feel really confident in my game and have really proved to myself, especially with my final round 63 at the PNC, that I can do it (compete with the big boys). Hopefully, I can just stay focused and the rest will take care of itself.