94th PGA CHAMPIONSHIP – Top 20 PGA Club Professional …
94th PGA CHAMPIONSHIP – Top 20 PGA Club Professional Profiles
DANNY BALIN
Residence: Rockville, Md.
Age: 30 Ht: 6’0” Wt: 185
Birth Date: April 9, 1982
Birthplace: Rockville, Md.
College: Penn State University
Home Club/Affiliation: Burning Tree Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 2004
PGA Membership: 2007
PGA Section: Metropolitan
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, Conn. . . Finished T-15 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship; finished fourth in 2010 and 2011 National Championships…Posted course record and the lowest final round in a National Championship with a 63 in 2011 at Hershey (Pa.) Country Club’s East Course. . Winner, 2012 New York State Open at Bethpage Black Golf Course; 2012 PGA Stroke Play Championship, 2011 Metropolitan PGA Championship, 2010 Westchester Golf Association Open Championship. . .Tied for ninth, 2008 Metropolitan Open and tied for eighth in 2007 … Finished 25th in 2009 Argentine Open … Two-time Squire Cup Member (2008 & 2009) … Runner-up, 2011 Connecticut Open, 2010 PGA Winter Stroke Play Championship … Co-hosted a Golf Academy Live episode before the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot with The Golf Fix’s Michael Breed … Has recorded two holes-in-one, with one coming in 2011 PGA Cup at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif. The ace became No. 9 on “Top Ten Plays of the Day” on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Personal: Single
Hobbies/Special Interests: Fishing, snowboarding, traveling, movies, all sports
FRANK BENSEL
Residence: Greenwich, Conn.
Age: 44 Ht: 5’8” Wt: 190
Birth Date: March 4, 1968
Birthplace: Yonkers, N.Y.
College: University of Maryland
Home Club/Affiliation: Century Country Club, Purchase, N.Y.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 1991
PGA Membership: 1996
PGA Section: Metropolitan
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y. . . Finished T-7 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Tied for 66th, 2011 PGA Professional National Championship, and his best finish was a tie for 23rd in 2004 … Winner, 2005 New York State Open, 2001 New York State PGA Championship, 2004 PGA Match Play Championship, 2009 Metropolitan PGA Championship, 2007 Metropolitan Open, 2004, ’05 Metropolitan PGA Assistant Championship … Named 2005 Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year.
Personal: Wife, Alynn; Children: Hagen
Hobbies/Special Interests: Fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants; all sports, movies
MARK BROWN
Residence: Oyster Bay, N.Y.
Age: 45 Ht.: 6’1” Wt.: 230
Birth Date: Sept. 14, 1966
Birthplace: Boston, Mass.
College: Eckerd College (1989, Human Resource Mgt.)
Home Club: Tam O’Shanter Club, Brookville, N.Y.
PGA Classification: A-1
Turned Professional: 1990
PGA Membership: 1994
PGA Section: Metropolitan
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Tam O’Shanter Club in Brookville, N.Y. . . Finished T-15 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . Finished runner-up, 2000 PGA Professional National Championship, losing a five-hole playoff to Tim Thelen at Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Okla. . .Tied for second in 2001 National Championship at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort. . .Competed in 12 National Championships and four PGA Championships prior to 2012. . .Member of the 2000 U.S. PGA Cup Team. . .Winner, 1999, 2002 New York State Open, 2010 Long Island Open, 2005 Metropolitan PGA Championship; 1999 Metropolitan Open; 1999 Eastern PGA Professional Championship. . .Winner, 2008 PGA Stroke Play Championship. . .1999 and 2009 Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year. . . Has competed in the past five Callaway Pebble Beach Invitationals, featuring a select field of PGA, Champions, , and Canadian Tour members, and PGA club professionals. . .Has recorded 11 holes-in-one.
Personal: Wife, Debbie
Hobbies/Special Interests: Fishing, all sports
BRIAN CAIRNS
Residence: Waterford, Mich.
Age: 48 Ht.: 5’8” Wt.: 180
Birth Date: May 10, 1964
Birthplace: Detroit, Mich.
College: Barry University
Home Club/Affiliation: Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, Plymouth, Mich.
PGA Classification: A-6
Turned Professional: 1989
PGA Membership: 1995
PGA Section: Michigan
Player Notes: PGA Teaching Professional at Fox Hills Learning Center in Plymouth, Mich. … Finished T-15 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship Best finish in the National Championship was 11th in 2011 . . .Was the 2000 Michigan PGA Player of the Year and 2000 National Maxfli Player of the Year . . .Past winner of the Michigan PGA Match Play Championship … Winner in PGA Tournament Series in South Florida … Winner, 1996, 2000 Michigan PGA Section Championship, 1997 PGA Match Play Championship.
Personal: Children: Ian , Bryn Marie
Hobbies/Special Interests: Fly fishing, deep sea fishing, teaching school
JEFF COSTON
Residence: Blaine, Wash.
Age: 56 Ht.: 6’1” Wt.: 185
Birth date: Oct. 15, 1955
Birthplace: Seattle, Wash.
College: Seattle University
Home Club: Semiahmoo Golf Resort, Blaine, Wash.
PGA Classification: A-6
Turned Professional: 1977
PGA Membership: 1992
PGA Section: Pacific Northwest
Player Notes: PGA teaching professional at Semiahmoo Golf Resort in Blaine, Wash…. Finished sixth in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Tied for 10th in 2011 Southworth Senior PGA Professional National Championship. . .Made the most of his debut in the Senior PGA Championship in 2007, finishing T-19, and taking Low PGA Club Professional honors at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. . . Tied for eighth in the 2006 PGA Professional National Championship and tied for 42nd in 2010 … Winner, 2006 Guisti Memorial Championship… Winner, 2006 Senior Players Championship … Led the 2004 PGA Club Professional Championship after the 36 and 54-hole marks, but struggled to a 77 in the final round to finish fourth. . .One of three PGA Professionals to make the cut in the 2004 PGA Championship, finishing 72nd. . Made the cut in the 2000 U.S. Open. . . Tied for 40th in the 2008 U.S. Senior Open. . .Winner, 1977 Pacific Northwest Golf Association Championship, 1991 Hogan Tour Shreveport Open . . .Three-time Washington Open Champion, five-time Pacific Northwest PGA Champion, 1995, ’04 Oregon Open, 1997 Spokane Open . . . Finished in second in the 2003 Western PGA Club Professional Championship, tied for 9th in 2002 and tied for 13th in 2004… 2001 Northwest Open Champion…Tied for 13th in the 2004 Western PGA Club Professional Championship and was fourth in 2001 . . . Nine-time Pacific Northwest PGA Player of the Year, 1995, ‘96, ‘97, ‘99, ‘00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04… Named Teacher of the Year in 2002…Competed in 1985 and 1988 on the PGA Tour, and 1991-94 on the former Ben Hogan and Nike Tours … Has recorded five holes-in-one, all in competition.
Personal: Wife, Diane; Children: Tyler, Courtney, Kyle
Hobbies/Special Interests: Basketball and guitar.
MATT DOBYNS
Residence: Sea Cliff, N.Y.
Age: 34 Ht.: 5’11” Wt.: 190
Birth Date: March 13, 1978
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
College: University of Texas (2001)
Home Club: Fresh Meadow Country Club, Lake Success, N.Y.
PGA Classification: A-1
Turned Professional: 2001
PGA Membership: 2009
PGA Section: Metropolitan
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y. . Captured the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship in his first attempt. . .With rounds of 68-68-69-70, won the National Championship by a record eight strokes, shattering Sam Snead’s 41-year victory margin record of five strokes set in 1971. . .Is the seventh Metropolitan PGA Professional member to win the National Championship and eighth player to win the Walter Hagen Cup in his first attempt. . Finished runner-up, 2008 PGA Assistant Championship, losing lead on 72nd hole. . .Tied for 20th in the 2007 PGA Assistant Championship. . .Winner, 2011 Long Island Open. . .In his first season as a PGA head professional, and employed by a club that was host to the 1930 PGA Championship and 1932 U.S. Open at a different location. Fresh Meadow moved to current location in the early 1940s. . .Has recorded eight holes-in-one, including his second in competition, the most recent coming in the third round of the 2012 National Championship on the 14th hole at Bayonet Golf Course in Seaside, Calif.
Personal: Wife, Laurie; Children: Kaitlyn
Hobbies/Special Interests: Spending time with family, movies
MICHAEL FRYE
Residence: Sedona, Ariz.
Age: 26 Ht.: 6’4” Wt.: 190
Birth Date: April 6, 1986
Birthplace: Culbertson, Mont.
College: Idaho
Home Club: Oakcreek Country Club, Sedona, Ariz.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 2009
PGA Membership: 2009
PGA Section: Southwest
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Oakcreek Country Club in Sedona, Ariz. . . Finished T-20 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .Winner, 2008 PGA Jones Cup, 2001, ’03, ’04 Montana State High School Championship, 2003 State Junior Championship.
Personal: Wife, Hadley
Hobbies/Special Interests: Basketball, bowling, hiking
BRIAN GAFFNEY
Residence: Monmouth Beach, N.J.
Age: 39 Ht.: 5’11” Wt.” 150
Birth Date: Oct. 3, 1970
Birthplace: Summit, N.J.
College: Montclair State University, 1994, Political Science
Home Club: Rusmon Country Club, Rumson, New Jersey
PGA Classification: A-1
Turned Professional: 1994
PGA Membership: 1998
PGA Section: New Jersey
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Rumson (N.J.) Country Club. . . Finished T-15 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .One of four PGA Club Professionals to compete in the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club, where all four made their Open debuts. . . .Name 2011 New Jersey PGA Player of the Year. . .Won the 2010 New Jersey Open in a three-hole aggregate playoff. . .Competed in the 2000, ’01 and ’09 PGA Championship. . .Tied for eighth in the 2000 PGA Professional National Championship, tied for 13th in 2009. . .Member of the 2000 U.S. PGA Cup Team. . .Winner, 1998 New Jersey Open, 1998 New Jersey PGA Assistant Player of the Year. . .Was a 1994 NCAA Division III All-American at Montclair State University. . .Winner, 1999 Assistants Stableford Championship.
Personal: Wife, Allison; Children: Brendan, Matthew
Hobbies/Special Interests: Driving Formula Continental race car
MARTY JERTSON
Residence: Phoenix, Ariz.
Age: 31 Ht.: 6’1” Wt.: 188
Birth Date: Aug. 24, 1980
Birthplace: Gallup, N.M.
College: Colorado School of Mines
Home Club/Affiliation: PING Golf, Phoenix, Ariz.
PGA Classification: A-19
Turned Professional: 2002
PGA Membership: 2010
PGA Section: Southwest
Player Notes: Senior design engineer at PING Golf in Phoenix (Ariz.) … Finished T-7 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship, and T-5 in 2011. . .Member of the 2011 U.S. PGA Cup Team, finishing with a 4-0-0 record in his rookie appearance . . .Winner, 2010 Southwest Section Professional Championship, 2008 Southwest Section Assistant Championship, … Medalist, 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriner’s Hospital for Charity PGA Tour Qualifier … 2nd, 2010 Southwest Section Championship . . .Finished fourth, 2005 Arizona Open … 3rd, 2007 Southwest Section Assistant Championship. . .Credited with design of the PINA Anser iron.
Personal: Wife, Kellyn
Hobbies/Special Interests: Designing golf clubs, Pilates and real estate
DARRELL KESTNER
Residence: Glen Cove, N.Y.
Age: 58 Ht.: 6’0” Wt.: 185
Birth Date: Aug. 15, 1953
Birthplace: Welch, W.Va.
College: Concord College
Home Club/Affiliation: Deepdale Golf Club, Manhasset, N.Y.
PGA Classification: A-4
Turned Professional: 1975
PGA Membership: 1985
PGA Section: Metropolitan
Player Notes: PGA director of golf at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y. … Finished T-13 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .With his finish on June 27, 2012, at Bayonet Golf Course, established what is believed to be a record for a PGA Club Professional by qualifying for a major championship in five separate decades. Overall, has competed in 17 previous major championships, beginning with the 1979 U.S. Open. The 94th PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in August will be his 10th PGA Championship. . . Winner, 1996 PGA Professional National Championship with a record 17-under-par 271 total ... Tied for 71st, 2008 Senior PGA Championship ... Tied for third in the 2007 Senior PGA Professional National Championship; was runner-up in 2005; and tied for fifth in 2006. . .Winner, 2004 and 2005 PGA Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year Award … Finished fourth in the 2005 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Winner, 1982, '87 FootJoy PGA Assistant Professional Championship (one of four multiple national assistant champions) . . . One of eight PGA Professionals to make the cut in the 2005 Senior PGA Championship, finishing tied for 31st . . . Winner, 1999 Metropolitan PGA Head Professional Championship . . . Selected by Golf Digest in 2001 as one of America's Top 50 instructors, and by GOLF Magazine as one of America's Top 100 Teachers . . . Winner, 1996 PGA Head Professional Championship, Pelham, N.Y., seven PGA Tournament Series events, 1992, 2002, ‘’12 Long Island PGA Championship; 1991, 95 Long Island Open . . . 1992, 95 Treiber Memorial Championship, 1989 PGA Stroke Play Championship, 1984 Charlie Pride Golf Fiesta (Tournament Player Series) at Albuquerque, N.M. . . Winner, 1994-95 New York State Open; 1981, ’83, ’94 Metropolitan Open; 1994, 1995, 1997 Metropolitan PGA Section Championship...Finished runner-up in 1997 Eastern PGA Club Professional Championship... Tied for 13th at the 2003 Eastern PGA Professional Championship and tied for 32nd in 2004...Earned berth in the 2002 U.S. Open . . . Victory in 1996 PGA Professional National Championship was assured by his making a 40-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. During the Championship, switched to cross-handed putting style midway through first round and went on to set a Championship record for the lowest score on the first 54 holes (200) and best score on the last 54 holes (198) score, tied for highest first-round score by a winner (73), lowest second-round score (64), and lowest final-round score by a winner (67) . . . One of three players (Tim Thelen and Bruce Zabriski are the others) to win both a national assistant and national club professional championship. . . After missing the cut in 1997 and 1998 National Championship, came back to finish tied for fifth in the 1999 Championship . . Named Metropolitan PGA Section Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996. . . Finished tied for 61st in the 1997 Hawaiian Open. . . Made the cut in the 2004 U.S. Senior Open. . .Competed in 1981 and 1983 on the PGA Tour, recorded the most consecutive eagles on par-4 holes (2) in the 1983 Texas Open at Oak Tree, Texas . . . Has recorded two holes-in-one, both in competition, and in 1993 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, posted the first double eagle in a PGA Championship.
Personal: Wife, Margie
Hobbies/Special Interests: Fly fishing
MITCH LOWE
Residence: San Francisco, Calif.
Age: 45 Ht.: 6’2” Wt.” 195
Birth Date: April 25, 1967
Birthplace: Boise, Idaho
College: University of the Pacific
Home Club/Affiliation: Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Golf Links
PGA Classification: A-6
Turned Professional: 1990
PGA Membership: 1999
PGA Section: Northern California
Player Notes: PGA director of instruction at Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Golf Links … Finished T-7 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . Making his third PGA Championship appearance. . .Was the 2000, ’05 and ’09 Northern California PGA Player of the Year … Tied for 16th in the 2009 PGA Professional National Championship and tied for sixth in 2010.
Personal: Wife, Donna Marie; Children: Ellie, Bella, Cheech
Hobbies/Special Interests: Travel
KELLY MITCHUM
Residence: Southern Pines, N.C.
Age: 41 Ht.: 5’8” Wt.” 145
Birth Date: April 4, 1971
Birthplace: Bozeman, Mont.
College: North Carolina State University (1993, Statistics)
Home Club: Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 1993
PGA Membership: 2000
PGA Section: Carolinas
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort. . . Finished tied for second in the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship to record his fourth top-10 performance six appearances . . .Tied for sixth in 2006, and tied for ninth in 2005 and 2007. . .Winner, 1993 North and South Amateur; 1991 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. . .Member of the 1993 U.S. Walker Cup Team. . .Semi-Finalist, 1992 U.S. Amateur Championship. . .Winner, 2005, ’06 Carolinas Open, 2004 Carolinas CPC; 2003 South Carolina Open; 2006 Carolinas CPC. . .2005 Carolinas PGA Player of the Year . . Was a four-time All-America selection at North Carolina State. . .2004, ’06 Carolinas Player of the Year. . .Winner, 1993 Tim Coffey Award.
Personal: Wife, Maria; Children: Ethan, Kaitlyn
Hobbies/Special Interests: Church; mountain biking, flyfishing
ALAN MORIN
Residence: Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
Age: 43 Ht.: 5’10” Wt.: 167
Birth Date: June 8, 1969
Birthplace: San Diego, Calif.
College: Ferris State University (1992, Mktg./Prof. Golf Mgt.)
Home Club: The Falls Country Club, Lake Worth, Fla.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 1992
PGA Membership: 1996
PGA Section: South Florida
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at The Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Fla. . .Tied for 13th in the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship for his fifth top-15 finish in nine appearances. . .Is making his fifth PGA Championship appearance. . .Five-time (2002, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08) South Florida PGA Player of the Year. . .Competed in the 1998 and 2003 U.S. Opens and 2004, ’05 Ford Championship. . .Member of the 2003 U.S. PGA Cup Team, finishing 3-0-1 in a record breaking U.S. Team victory over Gread Britain & Ireland . . .Made the cuts in the 2007 and 2008 Honda Classic . . .1995, ’98, ’99, 2002 Southeast Chapter Assisstant Player of the Year. . .Winner, 2004 South Florida PGA Open, and set tournament record of 23-under-par. . .Winner, 2003 Sunshine State PGA Championship;South Florida PGA Section Challenge Cup Team Member 1996 - 2005
Personal: Single
Hobbies/Special Interests: Watching TV, installing hurricane shutters, football
BILL MURCHISON III
Residence: Canton, Ga.
Age: 28 Ht.: 5’10” Wt.: 175
Birth Date: March 29, 1984
Birthplace: Orlando, Fla.
Home Club: Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, Woodstock, Ga.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 2007
PGA Membership: 2009
PGA Section: Georgia
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club in Woodstock, Ga. . . Finished T-7 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .Was the first alternate from the Georgia PGA Section after the 2011 Section Championship, and would not have gained a berth in the 2012 National Championship had not fellow Georgia PGA Professional Sonny Skinner not given up his spot to compete in a Champions Tour event.. . .Skinner called The PGA of America Championship Department to withdraw ahead of the deadline, allowing Murchison to get the vacant berth. . .Murchison also won the 2010 PGA Tournament Series Event No. 4; the 2008 and 2010 One Club World Championship; 2010 Open Golf Altanta Mini Tour Event; 2008 Georgia Open; 2008 Atlanta Open; 2010 Georgia PGA Championship. . .Son of former PGA Professional and Tour Professional Bill Murchison II, who competed in four PGA Professional National Championships from 1986 through 1991. Bill II also competed on the PGA Tour from 1977-84, and the Nike Tour from 1994 through 1999. . .Bill III has recorded one hole-in-one.
Personal: Wife, Ashley
Hobbies/Special Interests: Outdoors, church activities
ROD PERRY
Residence: Port Orange, Fla.
Age: 38 Ht.: 6’0” Wt.: 200
Birth Date: Oct. 17, 1973
Birthplace: York, Pa.
College: Mississippi State University
Home Club: Crane Lakes Golf Course, Port Orange, Fla.
PGA Classification: A-1
Turned Professional: 1996
PGA Membership: 1996
PGA Section: North Florida
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Crane Lakes Golf Course in Port Orange, Fla.. . . Finished tied for second in the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Winner, 2007 PGA Stroke Play Championship; 2002 North Florida PGA Championship. . .Three-time North Florida PGA Match Play Champion. . .Prior to 2012, best finish in four previous National Championships was T-34 in 2010. . . .Competed in six PGA Tour events, making the cut in the 2008 Ginn Sur Mer Championship and the 2009 Disney Children’s Miracle Network Classic. . .Low PGA Professional in the 2009 Florida Open. . .Winner, three Srixon PGA Tournament Series events. . .Four-time North Florida PGA Player of the Year. . .2010 North Florida PGA East Central Chapter Teacher of the Year.
Personal: Wife, Jaclyn; Children: Vanessa
Hobbies/Special Interests: Whatever my wife and daughter are into that day; swimming, coloring
COREY PRUGH
Residence: Spokane, Wash.
Age: 31 Ht.: 6’0” Wt.: 195
Birth Date: June 19, 1981
Birthplace: Spokane, Wash.
College: University of Washington
Home Club: Manito Golf & Country Club, Spokane, Wash.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 2005
PGA Membership: 2010
PGA Section: Pacific Northwest
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Wash. . . Finished T-7 in the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship, which was his debut appearance. . .Winner, 2008 Oregon Open; 2009, ’11 Rosauers Open, 2011 Northwest Open Championship. . .2011 Pacific Northwest PGA Player of the Year. . . Member of one of the premier golf families in the Pacific Northwest. . .Father, Steve Prugh, competed for the University of Oregon and is the president of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section; younger brother, Alex, is a member of the Tour; and sister, Hillary, competed for Montana State University. . .Corey has recorded five holes-in-one, with three in competition.
Personal: Wife, Katie
Hobbies/Special Interests: Hanging out with my wife and two big dogs; brewing and enjoying craft beer; target practice on a shooting range
PAUL SCALETTA
Residence: Jupiter, Fla.
Age: 37 Ht.: 6’0” Wt.: 185
Birth Date: May 6, 1975
Birthplace: Niagara Falls, N.Y.
College: Virginia Commonwealth University, (1999, Bus. Admin.)
Home Club: The Bear's Club, Jupiter, Fla.
PGA Classification: A-8
Turned Professional: 1999
PGA Membership: 2009
PGA Section: South Florida
Player Notes: PGA assistant professional at The Bears’ Club in Jupiter, Fla. . . Finished fifth in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .Winner, 2008 South Florida PGA Assistants Championship. . .Tied for first, 2007 Gateway Tour Classic. . .Runner-up, 1997, 2003 Virginia State Open; 2002 Canadian Tour Barefoot Classic; 2010 South Florida PGA Club Professional Championship; 2008, ’09 South Florida Open. . .Finished T-56 in 2011 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Third, 2011 South Florida PGA Section Championship, 2011 South Florida Club Professional Championship, T-3 in 2011 South Florida PGA Assistants Championship, T-3 in 2012 Fort Lauderdale Open. . .Eighth, 2007 PGA Assistant Championship. . .2009 South Florida Chapter PGA Player of the Year . . .Recorded a 59 at The Bear’s Club on Oct. 16, 2011, during a non-competitive round and playing from the Member Tees. . .Has recorded four holes-in-one, with one in competition.
Personal: Wife, Traci; Children: Paul II
Hobbies/Special Interests: All sports; Texas Hold ’Em; fishing
MIKE SMALL
Residence: Champaign, Ill.
Age: 46 Ht.: 6’1” Wt.: 195
Birth Date: March 4, 1966
Birthplace: Aurora, Ill.
College: University of Illinois (1989, Marketing)
Home Club: University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill.
PGA Classification: A-12
Turned Professional: 1990
PGA Membership: 1996
PGA Section: Illinois
Player Notes: Since 2000, has served as head men’s golf coach at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and undisputedly the most successful PGA club professional to serve as a NCAA Division I men’s golf coach. . .Finished fourth in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. . .With victories in the 2005, 2009 and 2010 National Championship, matched the late Larry Gilbert as the only three-time Champions in PGA of America history . . .Rallied to win in 2005 and 2009, and was the 54-hole leader in 2010, before holding on to win at French Lick (Ind.) Resort . . .Tied for eighth in the 2011 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Performance in the National Championship also includes finishing runner-up in the 2004; was fourth in 2006 and tied for runner-up in 2007. . . Competed on winning 2005, ’07, ’09 and ’11 U.S. PGA Cup Teams. . Winner, 2006, ’07, and ’10 National PGA Professional Player of the Year. . .Finished as Low Club Professional at the 2007 and 2011 PGA Championships. In 2007, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., accomplished the feat after winning the Illinois Open four days earlier and flying to Southern Hills to compete. . . Is the only player in Illinois PGA history to win the Illinois Open Championship and Illinois PGA Championship in the same year (2003, 2005-07). . .In 2010, began the year by finishing tied for 17th in the Mayacoba Classic in Mexico, one of six PGA Tour events that he earned an exemption by winning the 2009 National Championship. . .Guided the University of Illinois to five consecutive Big Ten Conference Championships. . .Coached Illinois’ Scott Langley in 2010 and Thomas Pieters in 2012 to NCAA individual titles. . .Langley shared low amateur honors in the 2010 U.S. Open. . .In 2009, coached Illinois to its first Big Ten championship since 1988, when Small was a teammate with current PGA Tour star Steve Stricker. . . Has led Illinois to the NCAA Championships five times in the past eight seasons. . .In 2011 NCAA Championship, guide his team to finish fifth overall, which was its highest national finish since 1941. . .Earned his first Big Ten Coach of the Year award in 2002, and is a five-time (2003, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11) Midwest Region Coach of the Year. . .Competed in the 1994, ’98 and 2007 U.S. Open. . .Winner of a record nine Illinois PGA Championship, including eight straight - 2001, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, and ’10 . . .Winner, 2003, ’05, ’06, ’07 Illinois Open. . .Finished tied for 27th in the 2004 Cialis Western Open and tied for 50th in 2005. . .Tied for fourth in the 2003 Northern PGA Club Professional Championship, tied for seventh in 2004 and finished second in 2001 . . . Competed on the former Nike Tour, winning the 1997 Monterey Open and the 1997 Cleveland Open. . .Has recorded two double eagles and four holes-in-one. . .Was a member of the PGA Tour in 1998, and owns a career-best tie for ninth place in the 1998 Bell Canadian Open. . .Is the only member of the Illinois PGA Section to win the PGA Professional National Championship… Followed the tradition of his father, Bill, as a captain of an Illini sports team. Bill served as captain of the Fighting Illini’s 1963 Big Ten Champion men’s basketball team, while Mike was captain of the golf team in 1989, and younger brother, Andy, was an infielder on the 1990 Big Ten Champion baseball squad and also served as team captain. . .Close friends since college with PGA Tour star Steve Stricker. . Stricker and Small have served as a groomsman in each other’s wedding.
Personal: Wife, Ann; Children: Will, Wyatt
Special Interests: Fishing, NCAA sports
BOB SOWARDS
Residence: Dublin, Ohio
Age: 44 Ht.: 6’1” Wt.: 236
Birth Date: June 9, 1968
Birthplace: Portsmouth, Ohio
College: Glenville State College (1990, Bus. Mgt.)
Home Club: New Albany Country Club, New Albany, Ohio
PGA Classification: A-6
Turned Professional: 1991
PGA Membership: 1993
PGA Section: Southern Ohio
Player Notes: PGA teaching professional at New Albany (Ohio) Country Club. . . Finished 12th in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship . . .Winner, 2004 PGA Professional National Champioship. . 2003, ’04, ’05 PGA Professional Player of the Year. . .Winner, 2002, ’04, ’10 Ohio Open; 2005 PGA Stroke Play Championship, 2006 PGA Match Play Championship; 2005 PGA Western Winter Stroke Play Championship, 2007 Southern Ohio PGA Section Championship. . .1996, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03, ‘’04, ’05, ’06, ’07 and ’11 Southern Ohio PGA Player of the Year. . .Competed on the PGA Tour in 2008 with best finish T-9 in the 2008 Wyndham Championship. . .Played in six PGA Tour events in 2005. . .Has recorded five holes-in-one, with four in competition.
Personal: Wife, Lynn; Children: Jordan
Hobbies/Special Interests: Reading, family time, sports
DOUG WADE
Residence: Cincinnati, Ohio
Age: 33 Ht.: 5’10” Wt.: 170
Birth Date: Dec. 21, 1978
Birthplace: Lima, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Home Club: Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton, Ohio
PGA Classification: A-1
Turned Professional: 2002
PGA Membership: 2011
PGA Section: Southern Ohio
Player Notes: PGA head professional at Miami Valley Golf Club in Dayton, Ohio. . . Finished T-15 in 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. . .Winner, 2011 Southern Ohio Assistants Championship, 2007 Hilton Head Professionals Championship. . .Runner-up, 2001 PING Intercollegiate; 2002 Marshall Invitational, 2011 Southern Ohio Open. . .Fourth, 2002 Ohio State Amateur, 2011 Southern Ohio PGA Championship, Finished eighth, 2008 North Carolina Open, 2002, First –Team All-Big Ten Conference selection, 2002 First Team All-Midwest Region. . .Has recorded four holes-in-one, with three in competition.
Personal: Wife, Tracy; Children: Samantha
Hobbies/Special Interests: Playing cards, playing basketball, watching Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes
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