From roof to tee, Wisconsin native enjoying first year as pro golfer

Cory Martin moved to North Myrtle Beach in 2001 from Wisconsin “to get away from the snow and play golf every day.”

He was 18 then, and was content to play recreationally and in occasional competitive amateur events for the next 13 years.

But there was a lingering “what if” in the back of his mind, and he decided to answer the question last year when he turned pro.

“I decided to let the goose loose,” Martin said. “It’s something that’s always been deep inside me that I knew I could do.

“I don’t boast about it but I can play, so why waste the talent?”

Now 32, Martin has owned the Grand Strand’s incorporation of Martin & Sons Roofing since 2007, and that’s how he’s funding his foray into pro golf. “Business is great,” Martin said. “It’s all golf and roof repairs. That’s my life.”

The easy-going Martin turned pro in May 2014 when he entered a U.S. Open local qualifier. He failed to advance by two strokes. He played the local Coastal Players Tour last summer and has been playing that again, as well as the Swing Thought Tour’s Carolina Series beginning in February.

Martin has had limited success as a pro. He missed the cut or finished outside the money in his first 10 Carolina Series events this year.

But he finished even par or under par five times in a recent stretch of six tournaments, and has shot 6-under 66s and a 5-under 67 in competition in the past month.

The 67 came in the first round of the Palmetto State Open at River Hills Golf & Country Club, and included a pair of early bogeys before Martin rallied with an eagle and five birdies in his final 12 holes.

He finished eighth in the 36-player event at 6-under 210 and earned $850 of the $17,350 purse.

“I’m getting experience,” Martin said. “This is my rookie year, and it’s looking good so far.”

He was one stroke off the Palmetto State Open lead after the first round and said he experienced the nervousness of being in contention in the second round.

“I quit drinking [three] months ago. I think if I had a Bud Light Lime for breakfast it would have made [the second round] a piece of cake,” Martin said. “I used to drink Bud Light Lime like it was going out of style.”

Eschewing alcohol is part of a lifestyle change he has made in order to dedicate himself to pro golf and give himself a fair chance at success. He also regularly reads the Bible and more regularly attends church.

“I’m just trying to get healthy and live a healthy lifestyle,” Martin said. “Golf is stressful and drinking is not a good recovery. If you’re trying to play professional golf … you want to take it serious. If you’re going to do it, do it.

“I’m behind the eight ball; I’m not a young whippersnapper any more. If you’ve got to walk a 7,600-yard course and concentrate on hitting that ball in that little ol’ hole, you want to have your mind clear.”

He plays and practices at several courses, including The Dunes Golf and Beach Club with friend and member Tommy Davis, Glen Dornoch Golf Links, River Hills Golf & Country Club, and Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club and the South Carolina Golf Center there, where he has worked with instructor Josh Jackson.

As an amateur, Martin won the Keith Hills Amateur in 2005 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek, N.C., and lost in a playoff in the North Carolina Players Championship, but he seldom played in large events.

He has obviously found the competition to be better and the focus to be enhanced at the pro level. “It’s a little tougher. They don’t talk as much. They want birdies,” Martin said. “These guys are good. I’m learning as I go.”

Martin has befriended Hal Harrigan, 70, who played the Sunbelt Senior Tour and teaches part time at Eagle Nest Golf Club.

“He’s a special talent and a great kid,” Harrigan said. “He’s got game. He can play, no doubt about it. He’s got a good grasp of the game and has all the shots. He’s got an attitude that will make it. He doesn’t get upset and throw clubs. He’s got the temperament I’d like to see in all younger players.”

Harrigan has provided inspiration and advice, and believes the one area of Martin’s game that needs the most attention is his putting.

“That’s what Myrtle Beach is all about, just golf in general – bridging the age gap and going out there trying to beat Old Man Par,” Martin said. “You’re sleeping at night looking at the ceiling and reading golf books, and doing whatever you can do to go out there and battle against Old Man Par again.”

Martin said he plans to continue playing around the Carolinas on the Swing Thought, Coastal Players, GPro and Carolina Mountain tours, and has a Coastal Players Tour event scheduled Sept. 12-13 at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence.

“Lord willing and the creek don’t rise I’ll be playing some golf,” Martin said. “On to the next one. If there’s a roof in between them I’ll bust it out and do whatever it takes.”

His profession has given him both perspective and incentive. “Your worst day in golf is nowhere near your best day in roofing,” he said.

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 10:53 PM with the headline "From roof to tee, Wisconsin native enjoying first year as pro golfer."