The Road to Sunriver - Defending PGA Professional National



The Road to Sunriver - Defending PGA Professional National Champion Ron Philo Jr. Returns Having Achieved ‘Validation’

SUNRIVER, Ore. – Six years ago, Ron Philo Jr. was an also-ran in the PGA Professional National Championship at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort.

Missing the 36-hole cut, Philo and his clubs headed home, pondering what could have been, and what was next.

Fast forwarding to Monday (May 7), Philo stood on the first tee at Sunriver Resort’s acclaimed Crosswater course, returning as defending National Champion having achieved what he called “validation” among his peers and prospective students.

The only thing missing to make the scene idyllic was Philo’s golf clubs. The airlines reported them lost, along with his luggage, somewhere between Jacksonville, Fla., and Bend, Ore.

But even that snafu failed to spoil Philo’s demeanor as he served as the featured speaker at the PGA Professional National Championship Media Day, hosted by Sunriver Resort, the site of the 40th PGA Professional National Championship, June 21-24.

Philo met the media of Central Oregon, and was joined by PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb of Bend, Ore., Pacific Northwest PGA Section President Pat Huffer of nearby Redmond, and Sunriver Resort General Manager Brian Hughes.

“Winning this Championship last year provided a lot of validation,” said Philo, a 41-year-old PGA teaching professional from Amelia Island, Fla., who splits teaching duties between Hudson National Golf Club in Croton on the Hudson, N.Y., and Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vt.

“Winning got me into the goal-setting mode, wondering what I would be able to do next. Would I be able to take my game to the next level? What I did find was that the Championship provided me more attention in the Metropolitan PGA Section, a Section that is so driven by the game.”

In 2001, Crosswater was the sole venue in the National Championship, hosting 156 players. This year, Crosswater – tabbed by Golf Digest as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses,” will be joined by nearby Meadows course in hosting 312 PGA Professionals representing 43 states.

“Coming back has brought back a lot of memories,” said Philo. “I had forgotten how big the greens are in scope. There are some enormous putting surfaces, and it places a lot of importance on what places you have to put the ball to score. It will create a fair test for the PGA Professionals in the Championship next month.”

The PGA Professional National Championship features a total purse of $550,000, and the low 20 scorers earn a berth in the 89th PGA Championship, Aug. 9-12, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

“We have taken this Championship to some of this country’s greatest venues, and we are extremely proud and excited to be returning to Sunriver,” said Whitcomb, the owner and designer of Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend. “We couldn’t be more proud to have someone like Ron Philo as our defending champion. He has represented our Association well, and this Championship.”

Philo reflected on the changing face of the Championship over the years and of his own profession.

“The role of the PGA Professional has evolved from the swashbuckling days of Walter Hagen, whose name is on the cup before you,” he said, seated behind the crystal trophy that is awarded to the National Champion. “A PGA Professional used to be known only for his playing skills. As the game has evolved, the Professional also has evolved. The PGA Professional is more than a player; he is a professional of the entire game.”

“Playing in this Championship is a shared experience, and we truly learn from each other.”

One of Philo’s closest friends, PGA Professional Walter Smith of Alachua, Fla., made the trip to Sunriver to prepare for the Championship and perhaps achieve retribution as well. Smith also was among those missing the cut in the 2001 National Championship.

“What other sport can you find someone like Ron who has achieved national success and go out and help you with the possibility that you some day may beat them in a Championship?” asked Smith. “It is truly a special thing for me to be here.”

Whitcomb said the PGA Professional National Championship is a showcase of “the roots of the game at heart.”

“The PGA Professionals in this Championship hail from a variety of backgrounds, and have expertise in many areas of the industry, as well as being outstanding players,” Whitcomb said. “Their images will be portrayed to millions via The Golf Channel this June and how they are portrayed also stems from what you, the media, observe and portray in your work.”

According to Hughes, who in his first year as general manager at Sunriver Resort, the staff also wants to accomplish another goal.

“We have planned for some time the increase in the field and the use of two courses for this Championship,” said Hughes. “We are ready for the increased traffic. Our job is to make the decision to return for another Championship an easy one.”

Begun in 1968, The PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Club Car; and Buick. The PGA Tour is a Supporting Sponsor of PGA Professional Tournaments and The Golf Channel is an exclusive media partner.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

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