Mark Balen

Played in four U.S. Amateurs (1976-'79). Made it to the quarter-finals in 1977. Also played in three USGA junior amateurs... Was All-American four times and won the 1979 Big 10 individual championship. Was chosen for the 1979 Walker Cup team, but it conflicted with the NCAA championships. Balen opted to play in the NCAA Championships and Ohio State won the championship... Won 1979 New York State Amateur... Qualified by finishing T-19 at the Champions Tour National Qualifying Tournament . . Played in three PGA Tour events in his career and finished T-43 at the 1984 U.S. Open . . Also qualified for the 1993 U.S. Open but missed the cut . . .Appeared in three Nationwide Tour events, as well, with a T22 to his credit at the 1990 Buffalo Open . . .Was a chief test administrator for National Evaluation Systems, an educational services company that develops and administers testing programs primarily for state education agencies . . .Graduate of Ohio State University, where he was a four-time All-American as well as medalist at the 1977 Big Ten Conference Championship . .College teammate of John Cook, Joey Sindelar and Rod Spittle and was a member of the Buckeyes national championship team in 1979 . . . Is an avid skier.