The PGA Professional Championship is a showcase that began in 1968 to provide additional playing opportunities for PGA Professionals. Throughout the years, PGA has grown the game to include the finest 312 players nationwide. As a Professional grows in their game, all of their skills are put to the test as they play to secure their spot in the Top 20, Corebridge Financial PGA Team, to be qualified to play in the PGA Championship.
The twelve members from North Florida’s PGA section who traveled to Santa Ana, New Mexico are the following: Christian Bartolacci, Matt Borchert, Jennifer Borocz, Sandra Changkija, Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth, David Damesworth, David Hronek, Greg Koch, Nick Joy, Johnathan Mansfield, Rod Perry, and John Somers. These Professionals headed to Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs with their goals set on the Top 20.
The 36-hole cut was made with five of our Members still in the running: John Somers (-3), Greg Koch (-3), Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth (-1), Jennifer Borocz (+2), and Nick Joy (+2).
All eyes were on Somers as he tied for first with Braden Shattuck from the Philadelphia PGA. Unlike most of our Members, this was the first PGA Professional Championship he has participated in. The PGA Head Professional at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, FL, shot 4-under-par 68 and 7-under-par 209 through 54 holes. He tallied five birdies including at the par-5 573-yard 1st; par-4, 463-yard 5th; par-4, 488-yard 10th; par-3, 185-yard 13th; and par-5, 651-yard 16th hole.
An eagle was made on the par-5, 554-yard 12th after a tee shot pushed a little to the left followed by a 150-yard pitching wedge left him a short putt.
“It’s pretty generous off the tee out here,” said Somers. “As long as you can keep it in the fairways it’s a pretty easy game. I’m rolling it great. I think it’s going to be a good time tomorrow.”
The following Members moved on to play the final round: John Somers, Greg Koch, Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth, and Jennifer Borocz.
Final Scores:
John Somers: T4 (-6) Total=282
Greg Koch: T11 (-3) Total=285
Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth: T34 (+1) Total=289
Jennifer Borocz: T64 (+6) Total=294
Each Member played exceptionally and we are so proud to announce that we have two Members from the North Florida section who will be playing in the PGA Championship May 18th-21st at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY: John Somers and Greg Koch.