Charlie Beljan won his first U.S. PGA Tour golf title on Nov. 11, by shooting a 3-under par 69 at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Charlie’s wife, Merisa, holding their 7-week-old son, Graham, greeted the champion on the course after his inaugural win. Both of their mothers were also there.
The 28-year-old Mesa resident began his career at Alta Mesa Golf Club, where his mother, Ann Beljan, presently is general manager. His win earned him $846,000 and a place on the PGA Tour for the next two years. Charlie was also nominated as a 2012 Rookie of the Year.
The outcome was unclear Friday, Nov. 9, when Charlie experienced chest pains and was taken to a local hospital. After checking him out, doctors concluded an overabundance of adrenaline had led to the symptoms, which are often the result of anxiety or a panic attack. Charlie overcame, and was back on the course Saturday, winning the tournament the next day, despite still feeling quite ill, he was quoted as saying.
Charlie has suffered several previous such attacks during the past year, according to news reports.
During an after-play interview, Charlie made the following comments: “I believe that everything happens for a reason … as long as you believe in yourself and keep on fighting … that’s what I did on Friday … I literally fought for my life … there’s no giving up … you never know what’s going to happen in this game or the game of life, you just keep plugging away … you do the best you can.”