Marron

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Ted Marron went from one end of the spectrum to the other.

The 2006 A-C Valley High graduate tried out for the Washington and Jefferson College men's golf team as a freshman and was cut.

Now a senior, Marron wrapped up his collegiate career by winning the Presidents' Athletic Conference individual title.

He shot a 2-over-par 144 during the two-day event, which was held April 19 and 20 at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, finishing three strokes ahead of St. Vincent College's Jeff Varga and Doug Mehall.

For his effort, Marron was named to the All-PAC first team and was selected as the conference's Most Valuable Player.

"He really played within himself on both days," said W&J coach Sean Dove. "He had a few bad shots, but he always left them in a good spot and his short game was really good.

"Ted got a good understanding of his game during the course of the season," added Dove.

The title was extra special for Marron, considering he was not on the team three years ago.

"I tried out again as a sophomore and that's when I made the team," he said. "It's just really gratifying to put all the hard work in and see what comes out of it."

It was Marron's first appearance at the PAC Championships, but he proved to be a threat from the start.

"I played the course once back in the fall," he said. "I knew it wasn't too difficult, there aren't many really long holes and most of them are straight. I knew if I just kept the ball in play, I'd be OK."

Marron, who was W&J's third-best golfer during the season with an average of 77 a round, found himself tied for the lead with Varga after the first day.

"I really didn't get nervous until just before I teed off on the second day," said Marron. "The night before, I just relaxed. But right before the second round, I was on the putting green thinking to myself, 'Wow, I have a shot to win this thing.'"

The nerves didn't affect his play, as Marron duplicated his score of 72 from the first round. Varga was three strokes back at 75.

Mehall, who shot a 73 on the first day, managed a 74 in the second round.

Marron's teammate, Brad Cieslinski, finished fourth (148) and W&J placed second as a team behind Thomas More.

"I had a feeling (Marron) could do well coming into the title," Dove said. "He had played pretty well the previous week at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester (N.Y.). He shot a 75 in 40-degree weather with 30-mph winds."

Marron graduates this spring with a degree in Spanish.