Player Profile: Mike Occi
2/13/2014 | by Benjamin Larsen of AmateurGolf.com
Occi, the 2014 Kingsway Sr. winner, is on a roll. Learn more about one of the hottest Sr. players in the U.S.
For Mike Occi, it's been a great last few years.
First, Mike enjoyed success at the association level in his home state of Maryland.
Then, it was immediate success at the national level.
The 58-year-old Occi has become one of the top seniors in the country with wins at the Kingsway Senior Invitational two of the last three years and no worse than a tie for 8th place since the 2012 season. In short, Occi has been dominant and after we caught up with him, it's clear he's having a blast.
Learn a bit about Occi, a member of amateurgolf.com in this player profile:
Amateurgolf.com: For starters, what's your background in competitive golf?:
Mike Occi: I was a really good junior player and earned a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. But I wasn't ready for college and stayed just one year. I didn't know anything but golf. I became an assistant pro at Montclair Golf Club in New Jersey and stayed for three years. After that, I was ready and went back to school at Rutgers. I quit golf for 10 years.
AGC: So, what brought you back?:
MO: In 1987, my dad wanted to play golf on Father's Day. We went to Rutgers Golf Course and I birdied the last six holes to shoot 69. The bug bit me again. I didn't play much competitive golf really and only once in a while played in state events. I moved to Maryland in 2001 and started playing competitively. I did OK but when I turned 55, I really started to have more time to play and got pretty good. I used to hit it all over the place and now hit it pretty straight. My minds more clear and don't worry about hitting too many bad shots, so I don't hit many of them.
AGC: When did your success at the national level begin?:
MO: I was playing friendly games with some good players back in Maryland and then won the Maryland Senior Amateur when I was 55. The guy I was playing with, John Register, and he convinced me that I could play with them. I wasn't sure but won the second event I played at the Kingsway.
AGC: With all the success, what's your favorite golf moment?:
MO: It's probably the most recent moment. This year at Kingsway was special. I shot 66 in the first round Steve Groom shot 69. I figured I'd have a big lead but only led by three. We got paired and both went low on the front nine but I shot 66 and he shot 73. The third day got rained out and I was 15-under after 44 holes. That had never happened to me! When I stopped worrying about what my swing looked like, I started playing well.
AGC: What events are always circled on your calendar?:
MO: I really only play in the national events that I can drive to from here in Bonita Springs (Florida) or in Maryland. I play five or six events and other guys play all over the country. I always make sure I play in the Corkscrew, Gateway, Kingsway and SOS Spring Classic. I always try to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Amateur.
First, Mike enjoyed success at the association level in his home state of Maryland.
Then, it was immediate success at the national level.
The 58-year-old Occi has become one of the top seniors in the country with wins at the Kingsway Senior Invitational two of the last three years and no worse than a tie for 8th place since the 2012 season. In short, Occi has been dominant and after we caught up with him, it's clear he's having a blast.
Learn a bit about Occi, a member of amateurgolf.com in this player profile:
Amateurgolf.com: For starters, what's your background in competitive golf?:
Mike Occi: I was a really good junior player and earned a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. But I wasn't ready for college and stayed just one year. I didn't know anything but golf. I became an assistant pro at Montclair Golf Club in New Jersey and stayed for three years. After that, I was ready and went back to school at Rutgers. I quit golf for 10 years.
AGC: So, what brought you back?:
MO: In 1987, my dad wanted to play golf on Father's Day. We went to Rutgers Golf Course and I birdied the last six holes to shoot 69. The bug bit me again. I didn't play much competitive golf really and only once in a while played in state events. I moved to Maryland in 2001 and started playing competitively. I did OK but when I turned 55, I really started to have more time to play and got pretty good. I used to hit it all over the place and now hit it pretty straight. My minds more clear and don't worry about hitting too many bad shots, so I don't hit many of them.
AGC: When did your success at the national level begin?:
MO: I was playing friendly games with some good players back in Maryland and then won the Maryland Senior Amateur when I was 55. The guy I was playing with, John Register, and he convinced me that I could play with them. I wasn't sure but won the second event I played at the Kingsway.
AGC: With all the success, what's your favorite golf moment?:
MO: It's probably the most recent moment. This year at Kingsway was special. I shot 66 in the first round Steve Groom shot 69. I figured I'd have a big lead but only led by three. We got paired and both went low on the front nine but I shot 66 and he shot 73. The third day got rained out and I was 15-under after 44 holes. That had never happened to me! When I stopped worrying about what my swing looked like, I started playing well.
AGC: What events are always circled on your calendar?:
MO: I really only play in the national events that I can drive to from here in Bonita Springs (Florida) or in Maryland. I play five or six events and other guys play all over the country. I always make sure I play in the Corkscrew, Gateway, Kingsway and SOS Spring Classic. I always try to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Amateur.
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