Fireman Matt happily climbing the ladder
MOST golfers are in the mood to celebrate after earning a place in the Masters. Having secured his ticket for Augusta, however, Matt Parziale embarked on a five-hour drive home, followed by four hours’ sleep before punching in for his 24-hour shift as a firefighter. Amateurs have long been a part of the Masters, but these days they are rarely real amateurs holding down real jobs like Parziale. And what a job. Like his father before him, Parziale, 31, works out of one of the busiest fire stations in America, just outside Plymouth, Massachusetts. He tried to make it as a pro a decade ago but struggled. ‘I had a blast, but I had no money,’ he said. ‘I saw my dad spend his whole life loving his job and I decided to follow in his footsteps.’
Regaining his amateur status, he won the US Mid-Amateur Championship to earn a place at the Masters and the US Open in June. Yesterday came his real celebration — a practice round with none other than Rory McIlroy, with his dad on the bag as caddie. ‘I’ve always wanted to play with Rory and he didn’t disappoint as a golfer or as a man,’ said Parziale. His home town of Brockton produced two of the greatest boxers of all time, Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler. This week, in the fire station, they’re embracing a gentler sport, and the heartwarming story of one of their own.