LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Jim Logue, a 67-year-old PGA Life Member from Canton, Ohio, marked his first trip back to the desert for a national championship since 1989 by posting a bogey-free, three-birdie 69 on the 7,012-yard Andalusia Country Club layout on Thursday.

Logue matched his previous best 18-hole efforts of 69, which came in the second round of the 1973 PGA Professional National Championship and the opening round of the 1978 National Championship.

Logue, who last competed in the La Quinta area in 1989, birdied the third, 13th and 18th holes. He highlighted his day by making a 20-foot birdie at 13.

"This is such a spectacular golf course and overall area for golf," said Logue. "We were lucky to start early, but it really got hot out there the last four or five holes. I hit all but one green today and can't complain about anything."

Logue finished runner-up this year in the Northern Ohio PGA Section Senior Championship.

SWING SURGEON MAKES DESERT HOUSE CALL: PGA Master Professional Don Trahan, the renowned "Swing Surgeon" from Inman, S.C., and proud father of PGA Tour star D.J. Trahan, made his third appearance in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf Thursday.

The 59-year-old Trahan marked the occasion by a steady even-par 72 at Andalusia Country Club. Ranked one of the Top 50 golf instructors in America by GOLF Magazine, Trahan was hoping that some of his son's good fortune in the Coachella Valley -- where D.J. captured the 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic -- may have rubbed off.

"It makes it so much more exciting for a father to watch his son do so well," said Trahan."And, what makes it satisfying for me is that I am a PGA Professional and watching him and helping when he needs it."

Trahan said the most difficult point of the past season was the past few months leading up to the 37th Ryder Cup. D.J. Trahan came up short in being selected by Captain Paul Azinger to join the United States Ryder Cup Team.

Trahan finished 11th in the final U.S. Ryder Cup Team standings, with two players who were selected -- Hunter Mahan and J.B. Holmes -- finishing below him in the point standings.

"There was a lot of pressure on six or eight players who were on the bubble as it came down to the last three events after the PGA Championship," said Don. "It was excruciating pressure for those players. People asking you every day about your feelings and chances and it made it tough.

"I know D.J. has one goal in mind now, and that is to make the next Ryder Cup Team."

D.J. Trahan is 24th on this season's money list and ranked No. 63 in the world. At 27 years old, Donald Roland Trahan Jr. joins a young, talented breed that his father declares will stake claim the next several years to challenge golf's hierarchy.

"I don't like the term 'rookie' when it came to players identified for the Ryder Cup Team," said Trahan. "They are veteran players who happened to be making their first trip to the Ryder Cup. They are hungry players and fearless. Guys like Boo Weekley, Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan proved that they could handle the pressure."

Trahan is quick with a golf tip and an opinion, and said that not only fathers of Tour professioinals, but many more golf fans viewing from home would love to see more players included in weekly broadcasts.

"There are thousands of mothers and fathers out there who want to see their son on TV at some point during a round," said Trahan. "You are not seeing a good sampling of players in the average broadcast. Everybody has fans, regardless of what player who is competing. You need to show as many players as possible.

"You can't just say that only a few stars make up a tournament. My son tied for fourth in the U.S. Open and I saw only two shots on TV.

"You can't get to know and appreciate a player unless you first get the attention on the screen. The broadcasts have ignored so many great players for the sake of following just three or four for hours."

One golf instructor whom D.J. Trahan has followed like a disciple has even amazed Don, who has been his son's lifetime golf coach.

Amateur golfer Jack Moore of Charlotte, N.C., is a contractor, and someone Don says "is absolutely the most amazing putter I've seen."

"Jack can roll the rock like you can't believe. He's not only helped D.J. but he's also helped me," Trahan said. "Jack said that he got a golf tip in 1988 from Harvey Ward, a great player, and has been keeping that tip a secret. All I know is that D.J. has gained a lot from Jack and how can you fault success."

Trahan said that he looks forward to the 2009 season for his son and also to their collaboration on a new instruction Web site.

"For lack of a better title, we're calling it the "Don and D.J. Show," said Trahan. "I'm sure that we will get around to more formal title. But, it's going to be great. It's so fun being able to share this game with your son."