pro-file: new tourney
director Derek Plucienski
The PGA Gulf States Section
welcomes Derek Plucienski
as the new tournament and
operations manager. It only
seems natural that someone
who was dropped off in the
morning and picked up in the
afternoon as a child from the
golf course would work his way
up to such a position.
After growing up in New
Orleans, Plucienski attended
the University of Southern
Mississippi where he was on
the golf team. He has been
swinging golf clubs for 20 years
and got his inspiration from his
dad.
“When I came to Southern
Mississippi [as coach] in 2007,
he was the first player I recruited
and signed,” said Jerry Weeks,
USM golf coach. “He was a
senior in high school.”
As golf pro at the
Hattiesburg Country Club,
Weeks had hosted the USGA
Junior Qualifier. It was there
that Weeks recounted how
Plucienski demonstrated his
confidence and what he called
“natural swagger,” no matter
his apparel or the weather.
“It was about 100 degrees
that afternoon,” said Weeks.
“He wore all black, and I
walked out to the tee and said,
‘Young man, do you know how
hot it’s going to be?’”
He replied, “Coach, I don’t
sweat much anyways.”
In a 5-year stand, Plucienski
had two major knee surgeries.
While playing, he tore his ACL
on both knees, which meant a
year of healing and rehab.
“He was a very good player,”
said Weeks. “Unfortunately, as
soon as he got well enough, he
tore the other one. He watched
and encouraged the team.”
Plucienski refused to grow
stagnant, utilizing his time
recovering to learn more about
the sport that helped shape
him.
“He learned a lot by
watching them,” said Weeks.
He continued to progress and
made it all the way to the NCAA
regionals as an individual.”
Before long, his tassel was
turned and he walked off the
stage with a Master of Science
in sports management from
USM. After graduating, he
played golf professionally for 2
years.
“Besides financial reasons ]