With elusive GCRO title in hand, McCarty back to try for another

Sean McCarty has played in the U.S. Open and is the reigning Iowa Section Player of the Year, an award he's won the past three years.

He's won the Iowa Open three times, the Waterloo Open once.

He was an All-American for the University of Iowa in 1995, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1992.

But until last year one thing - well, one thing in Iowa, anyhow - had alluded him.

“It was one of my goals to always get that Greater Cedar Rapids Open,” he said this week from his office at Brown Deer Golf Club, where he's been head pro since 2001. “I'd been close. I'd had chances. Last year, it just kind of worked in my favor.”

McCarney, 37, will defend that title this weekend at the 12th annual GCRO at Hunters Ridge in Marion. He's among an impressive professional field that includes Jerry Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz., formerly of Oskaloosa and a U.S. Open qualifier this year, and Dave Rummells, a former PGA Tour player and, like McCarty, a West Branch native.

The field, course conditions and game inconsistencies make defending a golf title a tough deal. But McCarty said he gained a lot of confidence last year.

“The course is good for me,” he said.

He said he will use the same strategy as last year when he tees off today at 8:10 a.m.

“Last year I played a lot more aggressive than I ever had,” he said. “I'll play it (this year) the way I did last year.”

Although he's approaching 40, McCarty still dreams of playing on the PGA Tour.

“I'd always love to get to that level,” he said,

He plays in tournament almost every week through the Iowa Section PGA, plus the big weekend events, like the GCRO and Waterloo Open. He wasn't pleased with his Waterloo Open performance last weekend, but “my body's feeling good,” he said.

“It's been getting a little better,” he said of his game. “I just love to compete ... I just don't practice as much as I should.”

Other local players in the professional field are Marc Gladson, Brock Worley and Gabe Ross of Cedar Rapids, Kyle Bremel of Keota, Luke Slaymaker of Center Point, Bill Hoefle of Marion, Dan Ganahl of Guttenberg, Chris Black of Independence and Jonathan Feldick of Coralville. Senior pros include Rummells and tournament co-founder Mark Lemon of Solon.

The amateur field includes Sean's brother, Chad, of North Liberty, Chris James of Cedar Rapids, Nate Dunn of Hiawatha and Darin Pint of Fairfax.

GCRO weekend

• What: 12th annual Greater Cedar Rapids Open golf tournament

• Where: Hunters Ridge Golf Course, Marion

• When: Today through Sunday, starting at 7 a.m. each day

• Defending champion: Sean McCarty, Solon

• What's at stake: A field of more than 100 pros will play for a $20,000 top prize (McCarty won $13,000 last year)

• On the Web: Go to www.greatercropen.com for more information, tee times and updates throughout