Back Home On The Links

SEBRING - It won't take long for Kim Darrow to remember the names of members at Sebring Golf Club.

Darrow, who honed her golf game as a youngster under the watchful eye of Sebring Golf Club professional Tom McClurg, was named as the assistant pro at the venerable club on Tuesday.

Darrow, whose maiden name is Best, played on the boys golf team and graduated from Avon Park in 1998, and is thrilled to be back in the Heartland and involved in golf.

"I'm so excited to be back home and getting a chance to learn the golf business from Tom," the 27-year-old said. "I practiced here when I was a kid and worked in the pro shop when I was in high school, so I know a lot of people that play here.

"I respect Tom so much, and I'm motivated to learn everything I can. And I can't think of a better person to work with."

After graduating from Avon Park, Darrow received a golf scholarship to Daytona Beach Community College, where she excelled by finishing eighth as a freshman and third as a sophomore in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.

After graduation, Darrow was recruited by the University of Florida and played for the Gators for two years.

"It was such a great experience getting a chance to travel all around the country playing college golf," she said. "The competition was awesome and it helped to raise my game to a new level."

A back injury her senior year derailed any plans for a professional golf tour career, but Darrow, who would graduate with a degree in Leisure Service Management, went back to Daytona Beach Community College to assist with the golf program for her internship.

That proved to be an outstanding decision, as Daytona Beach, with younger sister Julie playing a key part, won the 2002 NJCAA national championship at the LPGA International course in Daytona Beach.

"That was a great experience and so much fun," Darrow said. "To see how much the team had improved and to get to see Julie play a part in helping them win a national championship was something I'll always remember."

Darrow wanted to get into coaching, but she couldn't make enough money to make it work.

After five years in the jewelry business in the Gainesville area, Darrow, who married in August, talked to McClurg about possibly coming back to the Heartland.

When former Sebring Golf Club assistant Andy Kesling took a similar position with Sun 'N Lake Country Club last month, the time was right for Darrow's return.

"I realized my passion is golf," the former Gator golfer said. "I'm proof that you don't have to go the normal route to get where you want to go. "To be able to move back to this area, get back into the golf business and be closer to my family is a dream come true.

"The people here at the club are so nice, and I can't wait to show them what I can offer, and the best part is I know most of their names already."