Former Linn-Mar prep standout Gladson glad to be back in Iowa

MARION - Cedar Rapids native and former Linn-Mar prep, Marc Gladson, 23, is enjoying the life of luxury back playing the last two weeks in his home state since turning professional.

“It's pretty nice to come back to Iowa and sleep in your own bed,” he said. “The Greater Cedar Rapids Open and the Waterloo Open are two quality professional events and are the kind of events I'm looking for. It's a perfect fit.”

While the weather didn't keep the players from completing the second round Saturday, the effects of Friday's rain were evident.

“It was very wet out there today. Almost no roll,” said Gladson, who had an 8 a.m. tee time.

He shot a 1-under-par 71 to go with his even-par 72 from Friday. He is 10 shots behind leader Chris Thompson from Lawrence, Kan.

“I birdied number one today which was my tenth hole. That got me back to even for the round and jump started me because I knew I had eight fairly easy holes in front of me,” Gladson said.

He added that he got a pretty good break not having to be at the course during Friday's two-hour delay. His tee time was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. but was pushed back to 3 p.m.

“I got to sleep in a little bit yesterday and got a nice morning practice in,” added Gladson.

This is Gladson's first GCRO as a professional. He turned pro in May after graduating from Wake Forest. Before returning to Iowa, Gladson played in four professional events in North Carolina.

Gladson especially enjoys coming back to Iowa to visit his father, Larry, who is a head professional at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. “He brought me up into the game and I've been playing ever since I can remember. He's a very good teacher and supporter of junior golf,” Gladson said.

Larry Gladson had the opportunity to work with Zach Johnson on his golf game, which led to a strong relationship between Marc and Zach.

“I have admired Zach since he was doing what I'm trying to do right now,” Marc Gladson said. “Zach's taken a direct path to success with hard work and dedication and going after his goals. It's the kind of thing you read about in books but we had it right here in Cedar Rapids.”

Gladson also had the rare experience of being in attendance when Johnson won the 2007 Masters.

“I drove down from school. It was about a three-in-a-half hour drive from Winston-Salem. Watching him do that was pretty special and very inspiring,” said Gladson.

Gladson plans to return to North Carolina during the fall and winter to work on his game.

“The courses are a little longer and the weather is a little better out there,” added Gladson.

Thompson took the tournament lead after shooting a 67 Saturday to go along with his opening-round 66. He has a 3-shot lead over first-round leader Andy Winings of Brownsburg, Ind. and Andrew Rhodes of Fishers, Ind. Winings shot an even-par 72 after an opening round 64 while Rhodes had a 2-under 70 to go along with a 66 shot on Friday.

By Ryan Pleggenkuhle, Correspondent