Like Father, Like Daughter; the Beurmann Legacy
Melissa, through Ron's 29-year experiences has learned a lot from her dad and it has transitioned into success at the college level.
"He has taught me over the years never to give up, " Beurmann said. "He also showed me how important short game was and that was the best way to have a good score."
Melissa, during just two years of playing collegiate golf, has seen a decrease in her shooting average going from 79.8 in 2010 to 78.4 in 2011. In 2011, she had a career best finish tying for seventh at The Preview.
Starting off at an early age, Melissa was exposed to her dad as a professional and was always eager to go out and play with him on the golf course.
"We usually get dinner to go on the golf cart and then we will play as many holes as we can until we can't see our ball anymore," Beurmann said.
During the 2011 season, Beurmann posted a career low round of 73 and low 54-hole score of 227 at the GolfWeek Challenge finishing tied for 19th. But low scores don't just happen overnight and growing up practicing with her dad was what helped her succeed.
"We had our fair share of frustrating practices," Beurmann said. " But at the end of the day all of the long hours paid off."
Ron Beurmann has had an impressive 29-year career in the world of golf. After playing at WMU from 1979-82, Beurmann went on to win the 1982 Golf Association of Michigan Amateur Championship en route to turning pro the following year in 1983. Since then he has racked up five ('94.'98,'99,'01,'10) Michigan PGA Pro Championships and one ('98) Michigan PGA Match Play Championship.
Recently, Ron participated in the 2012 Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor and knew that this experience was going to be a tough one, even during the practice rounds.
"This course is very tough, and very hard," Beurmann said.
Unfortunately, the tough course resulted in a 36-hole score of 155, 13-over par. He did not make the cut into the weekend as he thinks it had to do with the first time experience of the Senior PGA tour.
"Wasn't how I wanted to play," Beurmann said. "I put a lot of pressure and worry on myself to play good and that got to my nerves."
The results were disappointing but he has no doubts that he will be able to return to the tournament next year.
"Oh yes, I think I can qualify for a couple more years," Beurmann said.
The daughter/father combination is still able to keep in touch throughout the golf season, even though living an hour apart and Ron continues to never stop coaching Melissa.
"He knows my swing better than anyone and usually gives me a few tips through the phone until the next time I can see him," Melissa said.
"She calls me every other day, and sometimes I'll give her a quick lesson, " Ron added. "I'll never miss any of her tournaments, wherever they are."
But Melissa knows that dad still knows best and head-to-head, 18 holes, there is still much separation between the two.
"For sure my dad would win," Beurmann said. "But I am getting closer!"
Ron thinks the same.
"I'd probably still win, but that's because I have the experience."
