PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Amateur golfers nationwide this month are beginning the path to a national championship berth by registering their teams online for Local Qualifying Events in the second PGA McGladrey Team Championship. The online registration process is part of the nationwide grassroots best-ball amateur championship, which is managed and operated by The PGA of America.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, which celebrates its national championship Oct. 20-22, at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort, features three-person amateur teams in Local Qualifying Events that will be conducted throughout September. Those qualifiers advance to 41 Section Championships, conducted from April through September, and feature four-player teams including a PGA Professional. The 41 Section Champion teams will advance to the national championship at Pinehurst Resort.

Registering amateur golfers are asked to enter their three-person team online at pga.com/teamchampionship. Amateurs may view on the Web site where Local Qualifying Events are scheduled in their area. If an amateur's home club does not offer an event, they are encouraged to contact their local PGA Professional.

The Web site provides such features as complete information on Local Qualifying Events and Section Championships and the National Championship site, Pinehurst Resort; news releases; handicap requirements for amateurs, how to locate a participating facility and guidelines for PGA Professionals.

PGA Professionals will compete for a minimum combined purse of $16,000 at the Section Championship level and $200,000 at the National Championship. Amateur participants will receive merchandise certificates.

PGA Professionals will receive a portion of the registration fees for hosting Local Qualifying Events and also four MSR credits. Competition is open to golfers of all ages and playing abilities.

The National Championship field will compete on three of Pinehurst's premier layouts, opening at Pinehurst No. 8, which has hosted the 1997 and 1998 PGA Professional National Championship. The field concludes by playing the final two rounds on Pinehurst No. 2 and Pinehurst No. 4. Pinehurst No. 2 has been the site of some of golf's historic championships, including the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup and the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open.

"The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is an example of teamwork at its finest," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "We encourage amateur golfers who have yet to experience this great event to form a team in their local community. This is one of those rare opportunities in sports where amateurs, along with their local PGA Professional, can compete in a national championship. Our title sponsor's Championship's slogan, 'With the right team, anything's possible,' underscores what can be accomplished in each golfer's community."

Amateur players will continue to receive 50 percent of their course handicap allowance at Local Qualifying Events. The Local Qualifying Events that feature 18 or more teams will advance two teams to the Section Championship. If less than 18 teams compete at the Local Qualifying Event, one team will advance to the Section Championship. The Section Championships and National Championship will feature the host PGA Professional who will complete each winning team's foursome, and use two best net balls of four on each hole.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is the result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America. RSM McGladrey is the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the country when considered with McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm).

About RSM McGladrey
RSM McGladrey is a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. RSM McGladrey operates in an alternative practice structure with McGladrey & Pullen LLP, a partner-owned CPA firm that delivers audit and attest services. Though separate and independent legal entities, they work together to serve clients' business needs. Together, the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services (source: Accounting Today), with 8,000 professionals and associates in nearly 100 offices nationwide. RSM McGladrey Inc. and McGladrey & Pullen LLP are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM McGladrey is the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America and the preferred accounting, tax and business consulting firm of Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

About The PGA of America

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 $195 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.