Maringer Focused On New Athletic Avenue
June 22, 2017 at 2:56 p.m.
Maringer Focused On New Athletic Avenue
By Mark Adkins-
Fast forward to the former Manchester University baseball player’s post-collegiate career. The 2014 graduate now works in a venue where the tools of the trade require a bag, “the sticks”, tees and golf balls.
The journey Maringer took to caddy for the Symetra Tour’s Csicsi Rozsa from Budapest, Hungary, is amazing but simple … much like the way he approaches his life.
“I guess one day, I decided it was time to try something different,” said Maringer, a Fort Wayne native and Bishop Dwenger High School alum. “I’d been working for an accounting firm in Fort Wayne, but sought warm weather and new opportunities.
“I’ve always enjoyed golf and wanted to play it more, so Florida seemed like a good option. I started working on my game at the Tom Burnett Golf Academy and thought about going into the professional area. However, I met someone while there and things changed.”
A friendship with professional golfer Rozsa grew, and, in time, turned into a relationship. With that, Maringer moved toward working the bag for her then-career on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.
“We travelled all over Europe,” said Maringer. “It was a great experience for both of us, but we wanted to play in the states, so Csicsi earned her spot on the Symetra Tour through LPGA qualifying school.
“I really enjoy my life as a caddy with Csicsi. We truly are a team. I handle the travel plans and finance side of things as well as helping her out in practice at times. It’s a different situation than most professional tour caddies as they usually don’t work for only one person, but switch from different tours to different players each week.”
So far, the recipe has turned in strong results. Rozsa has been in the money in four of her 10 Symetra events, including a top 40 finish at the season-opening Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in March. She is also among the top 50 of hitting greens in regulation, which makes her and her caddy happy.
“Csicsi went straight from high school to the professional ranks which is not easy,” said Maringer.
“Her professional path is one of the reasons why I’m glad I learned so much at the academy. My understanding of the game is much more than when I first moved to Florida. Along with the travel plans and finances, I can also help by giving her feedback about her game and swing, providing some useful input. She keeps a busy schedule getting to tournament sites on Monday or Tuesday, practicing a few times and then having to be ready for pro-ams or other tournament related activities. I’m just glad to be by her side and able to help.”
Among all of the duties and travel with Rozsa, thoughts of Manchester University are never far away.
“The Manchester University experience has most definitely aided me in what I do now,” said Maringer. “I’d say the biggest area is in preparation. When you look at what I am doing, you can draw similarities to how a college student prepares for classes, social life and so on. Organization is very important there and here.”
Maringer also points out that others can do what he is doing.
“There’s no one perfect way to caddy,” he said. “Much of it is having a connection and good communication with a player. Finding a professional to work for might be difficult, but if they like how you caddy for them, they’ll have you keep doing it, and you may find you enjoy it.”
Being a graduate of conviction in his chosen profession, just like the university he has a passion about hoped he would be.
Fast forward to the former Manchester University baseball player’s post-collegiate career. The 2014 graduate now works in a venue where the tools of the trade require a bag, “the sticks”, tees and golf balls.
The journey Maringer took to caddy for the Symetra Tour’s Csicsi Rozsa from Budapest, Hungary, is amazing but simple … much like the way he approaches his life.
“I guess one day, I decided it was time to try something different,” said Maringer, a Fort Wayne native and Bishop Dwenger High School alum. “I’d been working for an accounting firm in Fort Wayne, but sought warm weather and new opportunities.
“I’ve always enjoyed golf and wanted to play it more, so Florida seemed like a good option. I started working on my game at the Tom Burnett Golf Academy and thought about going into the professional area. However, I met someone while there and things changed.”
A friendship with professional golfer Rozsa grew, and, in time, turned into a relationship. With that, Maringer moved toward working the bag for her then-career on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.
“We travelled all over Europe,” said Maringer. “It was a great experience for both of us, but we wanted to play in the states, so Csicsi earned her spot on the Symetra Tour through LPGA qualifying school.
“I really enjoy my life as a caddy with Csicsi. We truly are a team. I handle the travel plans and finance side of things as well as helping her out in practice at times. It’s a different situation than most professional tour caddies as they usually don’t work for only one person, but switch from different tours to different players each week.”
So far, the recipe has turned in strong results. Rozsa has been in the money in four of her 10 Symetra events, including a top 40 finish at the season-opening Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in March. She is also among the top 50 of hitting greens in regulation, which makes her and her caddy happy.
“Csicsi went straight from high school to the professional ranks which is not easy,” said Maringer.
“Her professional path is one of the reasons why I’m glad I learned so much at the academy. My understanding of the game is much more than when I first moved to Florida. Along with the travel plans and finances, I can also help by giving her feedback about her game and swing, providing some useful input. She keeps a busy schedule getting to tournament sites on Monday or Tuesday, practicing a few times and then having to be ready for pro-ams or other tournament related activities. I’m just glad to be by her side and able to help.”
Among all of the duties and travel with Rozsa, thoughts of Manchester University are never far away.
“The Manchester University experience has most definitely aided me in what I do now,” said Maringer. “I’d say the biggest area is in preparation. When you look at what I am doing, you can draw similarities to how a college student prepares for classes, social life and so on. Organization is very important there and here.”
Maringer also points out that others can do what he is doing.
“There’s no one perfect way to caddy,” he said. “Much of it is having a connection and good communication with a player. Finding a professional to work for might be difficult, but if they like how you caddy for them, they’ll have you keep doing it, and you may find you enjoy it.”
Being a graduate of conviction in his chosen profession, just like the university he has a passion about hoped he would be.
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