East Moline native Zack Vervaecke was understandably nervous before making his PGA tour debut.
A birdie on his first hole, though, helped put those butterflies to rest.
At 37 years old, Vervaecke works full-time in Florida. Golf, though, has always been a hobby, and playing in the John Deere Classic was a life-long dream.
"It's something he's worked hard for all of his life, since I remember, 10-years-old, going to golf camp. He'd golf out at Golfmohr, 36 holes everyday," said mom Joann Vervaecke.
This week, he enjoyed the perks of playing professionally in his hometown -- including the loud, pink-clad gallery following him on the course at TPC Deere Run. Friends and family wore shirts that read, "I'm Tickled Pink," a friendly jab at Vervaecke who made that exact comment soon after he qualified for the 2015 John Deere Classic.
"I had just won the section championship and, literally, just found out about it; and someone shoved a mic in my face and asked me the question, 'How do you feel?' And I said, 'I'm tickled pink.' That was the first thing that came to mind," Vervaecke said.
Vervaecke said the entire experience was a dream come true.
"I was like, 'Holy crap, I'm actually playing in the John Deere Classic,' and here I am! There's a bunch of people following me, and I made birdie on ten, and everybody erupted. It was awesome," Vervaecke said.
Vervaecke finished the tournament at plus 5.