Episcopal Academy golfer Kathleen Mark is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A sophomore, Kathleen Mark has played a major role in contributing to The Episcopal Academy golf team’s second straight Inter-Ac title this spring, as EA went undefeated in the league and has 16 consecutive match wins. Mark has shot in the 30s (for nine holes) twice this season, setting a school low match score record with her 33 against Agnes Irwin on April 25. A three-sport athlete, Mark also plays field hockey and winter track for EA. EA golf coach Kim Farrell said, “She has worked diligently in the off season and is looking forward to playing in many upcoming junior events in May and throughout the summer.”
Q: What was working particularly well for you when you shot 33 against Agnes Irwin?
A: My irons were sharp, allowing me several putts inside of five feet. My teammate, Gracie McLaughlin, helped encourage me after my double bogey on No. 2, and I birdied four of the last five holes.
Q: What do you think has been the key to your recent fine play?
A: Coach Kim Farrell’s encouragement and leadership, my EA teammates, additional hours of hard work with my Dad after our school practices with additional support from Mark Sheftic, my swing coach.
Q: What do you think has been your best round of the season to date?
A: My best round came in Florida at the PGA National Championship Course where many aspects of my game came together. I was proud to go through the “Bear Trap” in 1 over par!
Q: What golf mentors have been particularly influential to you? What has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?
A: My golf mentors include my PGA professionals Mark Sheftic, Scott Chisholm, Ed Bennecoft (who I caddy for at Rolling Green) and my Dad. They all helped encourage me in learning the game of golf this past year. In particular, Mark Sheftic has taught me the most as my coach and mentor because of the different perspective he has to the game. He has many different teaching methods to obtain results that I never thought I could get.
Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course, and why?
A: My favorite hole at EA’s home course (White Manor CC) is the 5thand 6thholes, because they allow me to be more aggressive to change the momentum of my round.
Q: What is your favorite golf course and why?
A: My favorite golf course is Rolling Green GC. As a member there, I have accomplished winning the Francis Hussey Memorial for several years along with winning the overall women’s club championship the past two years. In 2016, the US Women’s Amateur encouraged me to play at a higher level by joining AJGA and local tours as well as participate in GAP.
Q: What is your favorite club and why (can you give specs)? What is your favorite golf ball and why? What size grips do you feel most comfortable with?
A: My favorite club is my driver. It is a Taylormade M6, 10.5 Degree Driver with a Fujikura Pro Spec Stiff shaft at 45 inches. I use standard Golf Pride MCC Decade Align grips. I also play a ProV1 #99 (2019 Model that has my Initials on it!)
Q: What part of your game do you consider strongest? What aspect of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: The strongest part of my game is the driver. I feel I am pretty accurate and can find the fairways with length. I spend the most time working on chipping and putting because it is the weakest part of my game. The additional practice and focus in this area hopefully will help me get to the next level.
Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? Is there a golfer whose game you try to pattern your game after?
A: Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are my two favorite golfers because they are golfers who are normal players that grind out rounds. Their game is well rounded that I want to model my game to copy.
Q: Do you participate in any extracurricular non-sports activities at EA?
A: I also write for the Scholium and enjoy doing campus tours for Key Club.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?
A: Art is my favorite subject because it helps me to learn a new perspective and expand my creativity, although my career interests are in Marketing and Finance.
Fun facts – Kathleen Mark
Favorite book: Percy Jackson series.
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting.
Favorite pre-match pump-up song: “Our golf team playlist.”
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Pinehurst.
Favorite pre-match meal: Pretzels.
Person I most admire, and why: “My father, who helped me on my journey to learn golf and many aspects of life. He has supported me through everything and always knows what to say.”
Family members: parents Peter and Quyen; grandparents Alex and Toypin Mark, Hao and Lan Nguyen. “My grandpa Alex Mark, who I played many matches with when I was starting golf, passed away on April 8. I dedicated my 33 to his memory.”
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
