The Long Shot's Journey Home: Matt Zirbel's Green Dreams

There’s something truly special, you could say, about a dream taking root, growing, and then — perhaps unexpectedly — bringing someone full circle. For Matt Zirbel, a name that might just ring a bell for those who followed North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) golf back in the day, that journey has certainly been a winding one, leading him right back to the greens of Iowa, albeit under much brighter lights.

He’s a professional golfer now, Matt is. A card-carrying member of the PGA Tour Americas, which, honestly, is no small feat in a world teeming with talent. And what a world it is, demanding endless dedication, a thick skin, and frankly, a pretty substantial bank account. But more on that in a moment. Right now, the focus is a homecoming of sorts: the inaugural Minnesota Eye Associates Shootout, happening right there in Forest City, Iowa, as part of the Dakota Tour schedule.

It’s funny, isn’t it? Life's way of weaving things together. Zirbel, who wrapped up his time at NIACC in 2011, was a standout for the Trojans’ golf squad. From there, he parlayed that experience into a spot at South Dakota State, further honing a craft he clearly adored. But college golf, however competitive, is still a different beast entirely from the professional circuit, where every swing, every putt, carries a tangible weight — financial, emotional, everything.

“Pro golf,” Matt shared recently, and you could almost hear the slight sigh, “is incredibly expensive.” Think about it: travel, entry fees, caddies, equipment, coaching—it all adds up, relentlessly. For many aspiring pros, the dream is often tethered, quite literally, to the generosity of others. And for Zirbel, it’s no different. He leans heavily on a network of sponsors, good people who believe in his talent, in his grit, and in that ever-present glint of hope that one day, he’ll make it to the big time.

The ultimate goal? Well, that’s a familiar refrain for any golfer on the fringes of the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour first, that proving ground where careers are forged, or sometimes, sadly, broken. And then, of course, the pinnacle, the PGA Tour itself. It’s a ladder, a very tall and slippery one, and Matt is on a rung, looking up, always up.

So, this tournament at Bear Creek Golf Course? It's more than just another stop. It’s a chance to play on familiar turf, to maybe see some familiar faces, and for once, to have a strong showing on home ground. It's a stepping stone, yes, but also a moment to reflect on just how far a local kid from North Iowa has come, chasing a little white ball and a very big dream across continents and through countless hours of practice. And in truth, we’re all rooting for him.