PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Next week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink will feature the best golfers in the world as well as some teaching professionals who qualified for the event. One of them is a local professional from Delaware County.
Braden Shattuck started golfing as a little boy and then played at the University of Delaware before turning pro. Now, he’s a teaching professional who played his way into the PGA Championship through a qualifying tournament.
“My playing actually helps my teaching more than anything,” Shattuck said.
He said even the week before the PGA, he has a full teaching schedule with students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, while also trying to practice and prepare for the tournament.
“Feel like I’m trying to juggle five balls at a circus,” he joked.
While Aronimink is only about 40 minutes from his house, Shattuck said he’s only played the course a handful of times.
“I’m not super familiar with the golf course, but from what I have played, it’s very straightforward.”
Shattuck isn’t trying to put too much pressure or expectations on himself. He hopes to just hit some great shots and let it fly.
“Definitely a more freeing way to think at it rather than trying to tiptoe my way around and not make any mistakes.”
Putting is the strength of his game, and he’s hoping to drop a few long ones and get the crowd on their feet.
