For WW-P graduate Urbanek, the bag is bliss on PGA Tour
Mention the word bagman in Trenton and images of New Jersey underbelly, underworld characters both fictional and reallife appear.
Conversely, Mark Urbanek, bagman for PGA Tour star Tony Finau, finds himself atop the world and building a reputation better than Bagger Vance. Urbanek attempted to play professionally then settled for caddying.
Finau runs hot with two victories and a T-5 finish in his last three events. Plus, he has posted 13 consecutive rounds in the 60s.
And his caddie, Urbanek? A West Windsor Plainsboro High School Class of 1997 graduate whose previous Tour highlights before he hooked up with Finau involved a Gangnam Style dance celebration in 2013 by his boss James Hahn; victories at the 2015 Northern Trust Open and the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship by Hahn; plus, an Urbanek off-duty golf ball toss of approximately 120 yards over water onto the famous TPC Sawgrass’ No. 17 island green.
Finau and wingman Urbanek show in Wilmington, Delaware this week for the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club. Finau stands fifth in the FedEx Cup race, a season-ending three-event tournament that pays $18 million to the winner.
Urbanek, 43, has toted for family friend and WW-P graduate, Matt Davidson, Charlie Wi, Josh Teater and Hahn before hooking up with Finau for almost two years now.
Finau’s first PGA Tour victory came in 2016 at the Puerto Rico Open at Coco Beach. He followed with 40 top-10 finishes, eight second-place finishes although five years passed without another trophy.
Finau cracked the victory code again with his second PGA Tour victory at the 2021 Northern Trust. The win came with Urbanek by his side at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City.
“All I know is I’m a lot different player than I was then,” Finau said after the tournament. “I’m a lot better player and I feel like it’s been a long time coming, but I also feel like you have to earn everything out here. Nothing’s given to you and I was able to earn this win, and you know, hopefully the future continues to be bright.”
If Finau, 32, had known the luminosity of his future, he might have invested all PGA Tour earnings in sunglass wear.
Finau has won three of his four PGA Tour championships, including this year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic and the 3M Open with Urbanek on the bag but the WW-P High and William & Mary graduate wielded humility regarding his boss’ success.
“Tony is such a good player that he was going to eventually start playing like this. He’s got a ton of talent, works super hard and he’s really intelligent about the game and his game. Maybe I helped him get there a little quicker but Tony was headed for big time stardom either way,” Urbanek said.
Davidson, a WW-P High graduate and long-time Urbanek friend, offered similar assessments about Finau’s right-hand man.
“It’s incredibly awesome what’s happening for Mark and Tony. I never thought I could root so hard for a player and his caddie,” said Davidson, current men’s golf coach at Furman University, his alma mater.
“Mark caddied for me in my first season on the PGA Tour in 2005. We were both new in our jobs. I wanted him out there with me because he’s such a good player and I knew he would put the hard work in that’s necessary for success. Mark never leaves a stone unturned, plus, he’s level-headed. And, of course, Mark is a friend of mine. He’s just an overall good guy. From what people say, Tony’s the same way. What’s not to like about two good guys finding success. They’re easy to pull for.”
The Urbaneks and Davidsons live on the other side of Hatfields and McCoys anxiety. In fact, many family members head off to Prague in December when Davidson’s brother, Sean, weds.
“I just bought our plane tickets for the trip,” Urbanek, recently married and ecstatic about being both husband and father, said.
Urbanek, who resides in Jacksonville, enjoys his PGA Tour life but a baby girl, wife of nearly two years and lifetime friends keeps him centered and appreciative.
“In the beginning with Matt, it was just kind of for fun. I had no clue what it would turn into. Never had any intention to being a lifer out here but it’s something that I love doing and something that I’m good at,” Urbanek explained.
He laughed about his growing rock star status although he makes regular appearances on The Caddie Network while his TPC Sawgrass toss gets major views.
“I wouldn’t go that far but I consider myself an extremely lucky human being. That’s for sure.”
Urbanek feels privileged as being a member of the Finau and his coach Boyd Summerhays team but it’s his new family, his mother and father who will be in Wilmington this week, plus, his extended Davidson family connection that he cherishes.
“Being in Wilmington is like a home game for me. My parents will be here on Wednesday along with some friends from Jersey,” he said.
“And, my wife. Always talk to her. Plus, try to Face Time with them and get to see my baby girl every night before she gets to bed. Fatherhood is unbelievable, the best thing on the planet. People tell you how great it is and then you experience it. It’s even more amazing. I can’t thank my wife enough for all that she does.”
And, that connection with his childhood friend, Sean Davidson, remains cemented in brotherly love.
In fact, when Finau won the Rocket Mortgage tournament in Detroit, Davidson and his fiancé were in attendance.
“I had them come out onto the 18th green during the awards ceremony. It was fun having them there,” Urbanek noted.
“I cherish our friendship and wish I got to see Sean more often although I do get to Prague occasionally. He’s amazing and it’s cool to see who he’s become.”
More laughter when reminded that he and the Davidson brothers are a long way from West Windsor.
“Yeah, we sure are. But it will always be home to me,” Urbanek assured.
Oh, and while Urbanek gains popularity as a caddie, he’s no saint.
“Sean’s wedding is on December 29th. I wouldn’t miss it unless it was a week later and we were playing in Maui,” Urbanek joked.