“PRO” File – Touring Professional Shane Bertsch

Shane Bertsch, along with four other players, succeeded at one of the most difficult tasks in professional golf – earning a fully-exempt card on the PGA Tour Champions. Of all the 50-and-over players worldwide, only five earned full privileges for the 2020 season. Bertsch was the medalist, shooting 17-under-par. The final qualifier, Stephen Leaney, shot 12-under, meaning if you shot 11-under, you are relegated to partial status.

Bertsch played on and off the PGA Tour for years, highlighting how difficult it is for fringe players to eke out a living in the game. An excellent athlete, he started out as a top junior tennis player, but a 6-0-6-1 loss to Andre Agassi caused him to turn to golf full time. He also has three victories on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour.