A study in drive
Growing up in South Africa, Mark Immelman knew he had a talent for playing golf, one exceeded only by his passion for the game. The promising athlete committed himself to finding out just how far his potential could take him. Today a celebrated coach, podcaster and commentator, we're proud to also call Mark a Synovus brand ambassador and to have joined him on his quest for both meaning and excellence.
A partner for all Mark's plans
Most people know Mark Immelman from his work with CBS Sports or his popular podcast, “On the Mark”. Mark’s fans rely on him to paint vivid pictures with words. “People know me as a broadcaster or podcaster,” Mark says. “I see myself as a coach.”
Indeed, and what a coach. For 21 seasons at Columbus State University, Mark helped countless young golfers visualize and attain success on and off the course. A three-time All-American player on two national championship teams at CSU, Mark knows firsthand what it’s like for top athletes when they emerge from their college cocoon.
In Mark’s case, that involved persuading his then-fiancée, Tracy, to come back to Columbus with him, rather than starting married life in London, where she had a burgeoning career in sports marketing, or their native South Africa.
Along with the cultural adjustments came financial realities. “We needed a checking account and a credit card, as well as a credit history to get an apartment and car,” Tracy recalls. In Synovus, the couple found a financial partner that meshed with both Mark’s clarity of vision and Tracy’s gift for organization. “Synovus was there for us from the beginning,” Tracy says. “They put us in a position to seize opportunities for our careers and our family.”
Mark sums up his philosophy on golf–and life–this way. “Everything’s easy when things are going well. The test is how you play when things get tough. But if you’re willing to work hard and take risks, and if you find the right partner, anything is possible. My life is proof of that.”
Spoken like a true coach.
On the go and "On the Mark"
Mark recently let us drop by a special reunion with a few of his former players. He then introduced us to his wife, Tracy, whose coaching he values most of all.
“Golf gave me a shot and Synovus helped me make it.”
— Mark Immelman
About Mark Immelman
Birthplace: Somerset West, Cape, South Africa
Residence: Columbus, Georgia
Family: Wife, Tracy, and two daughters, Sophia and Isabel
Education: Columbus State University
Social Media: @mark_immelman on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube
Career: Broadcaster, author, podcaster and 2009 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, Mark is an analyst and on-course reporter for CBS Sports, Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE.
Podcaster and author: Mark currently cohosts The Second Cut Golf Podcast with Rick Gehman, Patrick McDonald and Greg DuCharme. His solo podcast, On the Mark, has been downloaded more than 7.5 million times in 125 countries and counting. He's also collected his wisdom in two books, Lessons from the Best: Holistic Insights, Tips, and Tricks to Improve Your Golf and Scandalously Simple: The Easy Way to Accurate Golf Shots.
“Coaching taught me how to see the game. Broadcasting lets me show it.”
— Mark Immelman