John DalCorobbo taking a victory lap at Senior PGA Professional Championship

This story appeared in the November edition of PGA Magazine.

John DalCorobbo will be doing more than defending his title at this month’s Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz USA at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida – he’ll be taking a victory lap after a year filled with professional and personal success.

DalCorobbo, a PGA assistant professional at Brickyard Crossing in Speedway, Indiana, shot a final-round 69 to motor past the field and win last year’s Championship at Bayonet Black Horse in Seaside, California. That victory earned the then 51-year-old DalCorobbo his first career berth in a major, and he made the most of the opportunity.

Full coverage: 2016 Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz USA

DalCorobbo finished tied for seventh at the 2016 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan, this past May. He was near the top of the leaderboard throughout the week, starting with a 6-under-par 65 that was dramatically capped by holing a 147-yard 9-iron approach shot for eagle on the 18th hole of the first round.

DalCorobbo finished at 11-under par and easily won Low Club Professional honors on the weekend his home facility was hosting the 100th Indianapolis 500. The notoriety led to a full lesson book and plenty of attention once DalCorobbo returned to Brickyard Crossing, where four of the holes are located on the infield of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“What a whirlwind this past year has been, and it was my win at the Senior PGA Professional Championship last year that really propelled a lot of things for me,” says DalCorobbo. “I actually didn’t play as much as I would have liked this summer because my lesson book was as full as it could be, plus my responsibilities in the golf shop.”

DalCorobbo has spent the last month sharpening his game for his title defense at the Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz USA. The event is the middle stop in a trio of playing opportunities for DalCorobbo in the Sunshine State.

First was last month’s National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship supported by Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. Following this month’s Senior PGA Professional Championship, also at PGA Golf Club, DalCorobbo will play in the PGA Tour Champion’s National Qualifying Tournament at Reunion Resort in Orlando later in the month.

“Winning the Senior PGA Professional Championship last year and playing well at Harbor Shores was so great for me. Now I know how to react on the big stage if I get there again,” DalCorobbo says.