Rohanna keeps plugging on NGA Tour
Robert Rohanna’s quest to earn a berth onto the PGA Tour has no off-season, and the Waynesburg native is in the midst of the winter portion of his season, with a lot of early success.
The 2004 Waynesburg Central graduate is coming off one of the finest two-week periods of his professional career with a first-place finish at Harmony Golf Preserve two weeks ago and a third-place finish last week.
Formerly known as the NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour, the NGA Pro Golf Tour is recognized as one of the top professional tours in the world.
The tour has helped more professionals earn their PGA, Euro, Senior PGA and Web.com Tour cards than any other developmental tour in the United States.
That’s why Rohanna is spending his winter playing out of Naples, Fla.
“It’s the top mini-tour in the country,” said Rohanna.
“It’s experience and money. That’s all there is in America.”
Rohanna opted out of the PGA Q School this year, given the format change where direct access onto the PGA Tour gave way to securing a card through the developmental Web.com Tour.
“I’m going to play in the winter series (of the NGA Tour), and then in February play in the qualifier in Florida for the PGA Tour Latina. I’m going to play events on the PGA Tour in Canada, too. The PGA bought them out,” explained Rohanna.
“I can get onto the Web.com Tour.
“The first week of the NGA Tour Summer Series starts in the first week of March.”
Rohanna had quite a start to his winter season by winning the tournament hosted by Harmony Golf Preserve on Nov. 5-7.
He had a three-round total of 13-under 203, winning $7,000 for his efforts.
He followed that up with a third-place finish at Shingle Creek Golf Club on Nov. 12-14, shooting a three-day total of 9-under 207.
The format is different than the other Tour events.
“You sign up on the website. Fee is around $800 to $1,000,” said Rohanna.
“The cut is the top 33 percent and ties after the second round. Usually there is between 60 to 100 golfers, so the payout depends on how many ties. If you make the cut, you usually get your entry fee back.”
With rounds of 66, 70, 71, 68, 67 and 68 in November, Rohanna proudly said the highest score in his past 12 tournament rounds is 72.
In playing at 22-under in the two tournaments, Rohanna had only four bogeys while carding two eagles and 26 birdies.
“In my last 10 tournament rounds (180 holes), I’ve had only 11 bogeys,” Rohanna proudly added.
The winter series throughout Florida uses a variety of courses, ranging from resort level tracts to play-every-day country and golf clubs.
“They find courses that will let them play. A lot of courses won’t let a course be tied up for three days. They still send the members out (after the last professional tee time). I played in the last group in the last tournament and there were members teeing off behind us,” said Rohanna.
“You get what you get.”
Rohanna has had some health issues over the past couple years, including a recent problem.
“I might have tweaked something in my back. I was struggling in the last round, the last day. I hit 16 greens and putted well, but couldn’t make a putt.”
Rohanna graduated from Penn State University in 2009, majoring in kinesiology while earning teaching certification in health and physical education.
Given his educational background, he understands how the body works.
“I screwed up the rotational muscles in the thoracic muscles in my spine. I need to let it rest. It’s not really worth it to pay $1,000 and not be able to finish,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna has a “mature” approach to his game as he hits what is considered to be the prime years for a pro golfer, 27 to 32.
“I’m trying not to practice as much. I play on the course more,” explained Rohanna.
“I’m not stressing as much on the practice tee. It helps me mentally.
“The ‘less is more’ approach. I don’t harp on things as much.”
Rohanna has also adapted his workout regimen as he has matured.
“I used to work out religiously. Now, I do more stretches and specific golf exercises. Working out is hard to do when you’re golfing. I can do the stretches anywhere, and I joined one of those 24-hour gyms they have all over Florida,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna is fortunate to have accommodations during his stay in Florida between relatives and friends, but it takes money to make money on most golf tours.
“I’m always looking for sponsors,” said Rohanna. “I have a lot of family support, and I’d like to thank Joe Hardy and Nemacolin Woodlands for all their support.”