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Sturgeon Qualifies For PGA Event
July 02, 2009 | Men's Golf
July 2, 2009
SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. -- - Former University of Louisville men's golfer Grant Sturgeon realized his dream of playing in a major PGA Golf Tournament. That dream was realized at the National Club Pro Championships on Wednesday. Sturgeon, who played for the Cardinals from 1999-02, tied for eighth, which qualifies him for next month's PGA event at Hazeltine Country Club in Minnesota.
University of Illinois head coach Mike Small closed with a 3-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over third-round leader Mark Sheftic of Ambler, Pa., and 1995 National Champion Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah.
"I didn't come into this week with any expectations; I've finished second twice and come from behind twice to win now. I guess I've shocked myself," said Small, whose winning total of 7-under-par 277 earned him $75,000 from a $550,000 purse and made him one of only four players to win two or more PGA Professional National Championships.
Sheftic, a PGA teaching professional at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., hit an 8-iron approach just over the green and chipped just short, leaving himself with a testy a six-foot par putt. His putt ran just past the hole.
"I think my nerves got the best of me today," said Sheftic, who was making his Championship debut. "But it felt so good to play this week and I won't complain."
Schneiter, a 45-year-old PGA assistant professional at Schneiter's Pebblebrook Links in Sandy, Utah, saw his 35-foot birdie putt run two feet past the cup. It was deja vu for Schneiter, who also finished runner-up by a stroke at Twin Warriors when it hosted the 2003 National Championship.
"I had a chance, but made double [bogey] at 12, bounced back with birdies at 13 and 16, but the three-putt at 17 was the story," he said.
Small, the lone Illinois PGA Section member to win the National Championship, has a glossy record since his debut in 2004, including a 70.79 scoring average. He finished runner-up in 2004, won in 2005, was fourth in 2006, shared second in 2007 and tied for 41st in 2008.
Small birdied the 13th and 16th holes and came to the 18th green facing a potential winning 35-foot uphill birdie putt. His putt just slipped by the left edge of the hole.
"I made a nice putt there, and that was good," said Small, "because I didn't hit many great putts coming in and it was nice to hit a good putt.
"I guess this came out of nowhere. I didn't think about winning this until yesterday. I haven't had much time to digest it yet."
Small got the boost he needed to stabilize his round and make the title run. It came on the 584-yard 16th hole. He hit a 230-yard 4-iron approach to within 15 feet of the hole.
"I hit a great shot at 16," said Small. "It was a quieting shot for me. It quieted me down. I didn't hit the eagle putt well, but I ended up with a birdie. It seemed like everyone was bunched up all day out there. But in the end, in this altitude, on that course and the heat, they kind of came back to me. I guess I kind of outlasted them."
While Small was dueling for a title against Sheftic and Schneiter, there were other sub-plots that made this Championship one of the more memorable in its 42-year history.
Lee Rinker of Jupiter, Fla., who hadn't made a cut in two years after finishing third in 2006, closed with a 71 to share fourth at 279 with Craig Thomas of White Plains, N.Y., Ryan Benzel of Bothell, Wash., and Eric Lippert of Marina, Calif.
Tim Weinhart of Suwanee, Ga., who had vaulted to take the Championship lead midway through the round at 8 under par, wilted coming home and closed with a 70, and finished tied for eighth with Keith Dicciani of White Plains, N.Y., Grant Sturgeon of Pittsburgh, Pa., Bob Gaus of St. Louis, and Todd Lancaster of Aurora, Ohio.
Thomas and Dicciani registered a Championship rarity, coming from the same golf club to earn one of 20 berths in the 91st PGA Championship. Thomas is the PGA head professional and Dicciani an assistant at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, N.Y. In addition, Dicciani is engaged to Thomas' stepdaughter.
Sturgeon, however, was the story of the Championship for his gutsy comeback from an opening-round 79.
The PGA assistant professional at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, closed with a 69 for his third consecutive round in the 60s. He also made the cut on Monday night, thanks to a hole-in-one and a final-hole birdie.
"I usually hit the ball well and I played so uptight the first day like I had something to lose," said Sturgeon, "but I had not won anything to lose yet. I fought back and am happy with how I finished."
The PGA Professional National Championship featured 312 players representing 43 states and 41 PGA Sections.
The low 20 scorers earned a berth in the 91st PGA Championship, Aug. 13-16, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. The final round also determined the 10 members of this year's United States Team, which faces Great Britain & Ireland in the 24th PGA Cup, Sept. 18-20, at The Carrick in Loch Lomond, Scotland.
Established in 1968, The PGA Professional National Championship roster of Champions includes past and present Tour professionals: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert, Bruce Fleisher and Bob Sowards.
The PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; and Club Car. Golf Channel is an exclusive media partner, and the PGA Tour is the Supporting Sponsor of PGA of America Member Championships. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of $1.5 million.
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
