John Seltzer of Ann Arbor, Mich., battled tough conditions in the second round to maintain a share of the lead. (Photo: The PGA of America)

Oct. 31, 2008 -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Winds gusting to 25 mph led to higher scores Friday, as first-round leader John Seltzer of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Sean Dougherty of Overland Park, Kan., are tied for the lead midway through the $100,000 TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Seltzer, PGA assistant professional at The Polo Fields Golf and Country Club in Ann Arbor, Mich., fired a second-round even-par 72.

Players battled a challeging PGA Golf Club and strong winds during the second round. (Photo: The PGA of America)

The 29-year-old was able to overcome a double-bogey at the par-4 14th hole by birdieng No. 16 and get his round back to even-par.

"The conditions were a bit tougher today, but I still played well enough to be tied for the lead going into the weekend," said Seltzer, who carded four birdies. "I think the strategy going into the weekend will be to make pars most of the time and take advantage of any birdie opportunities like at No. 16, when I get them."

Seltzer is still confident in his ability to score well and believes if he can continue to play at a high level he has a great chance to win.

"I think my golf swing is there and all those little putts you need to keep rounds going are there too," said Seltzer. "I think as the weekend progresses you are going to see lower scores and I think I can hang with those guys."

He continues to praise his father's ability to read putts on the unfamiliar Bermuda greens. His father, Jack Seltzer, is the PGA general manager and head professional at Bay Dunes Golf Course in Panama City. He was also member of the 1983 PGA Cup Team and played in 11 PGA Professional National Championships.

"He was able to read the putts great again today. I have to give him credit," said Seltzer who finished in a tie for 58th in June's PGA Professional National Championship in Greensboro, Ga. "I appreciate him so much for trooping on with me this week."

Dougherty, who was in tie for third after the opening round, fired a second-round 70. He knows it will be a tough battle over the final two-rounds.

"Everyone here wants to win and obviously everyone here is good enough to win," said Dougherty, who carded four birdies. "That was my goal coming into the week and I put myself in good position after the first few rounds and we will see how the next two rounds pan out."

Dougherty recognizes the prestige of the Championship and what it would mean to him in his career as a PGA Professional.

"This would be a huge boost in confidence and a great thing to put on a resume," said Dougherty, is competing in his first Assistant Championship "All of us here at this Championship are aspiring to be a Class A PGA Professional and have a club of our own. To add this victory to anything else we might do in our career would be a huge bonus."

Justin Herron, PGA apprentice at Ironwood Golf and Country Club in Omaha, Neb., posted a second-round 71 and is a stroke back at 140.

He believes playing in the morning in more stagnant weather conditions gave him an advantage.

"I was hoping playing early we would miss some of the wind and we did," said Herron, who is playing in his second Assistant Championship, but his first since 1998, where he finished in 39th place. "It started picking up around the middle of the round, but being from Nebraska it doesn't affect me really. This is a normal day out there."

Julie Peluso, PGA assistant professional at Tesoro Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, became the first woman to make the cut in the history of the Assistant Championship.

Peluso fired a second-round 75 to make the cut at 152.

"It is such a thrill and so few people make it," said Peluso. "I need to keep playing well and use my good play off the tee to better scores this weekend. This should be a lot of fun."

Defending Champion Chris Moody, an assistant Professional at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah, shot a second-round 75, and is in 39th place, nine-strokes back of Seltzer and Dougherty.

Past Champion (2004) Kirk Satterfield of Manhasset, N.Y., PGA Assistant Professional at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., shot a second-round 77, and sits in a tie for 40th overall.

The field was trimmed to the low 70 scorers and ties, with 73 players advancing at eight-over-par to play the final two weekend rounds at the Wanamaker Course.

TaylorMade-adidas Golf returns is serving as title sponsor for the ninth consecutive year.

For 32 years, the Championship has produced many outstanding PGA Professionals who have gone onto successful careers in teaching and administering the game, as well as competing at the highest level on the PGA and Champions Tour. Past champions include past Ryder Cup Team members Fred Funk and Loren Roberts, and past PGA Professional National Champions Darrell Kestner and Bruce Zabriski.

The winner of the TaylorMade-adidas PGA Assistant Professional Championship will collect $9,000 of the $100,000 purse and if eligible, will earn a berth in the 42nd PGA Professional National Championship, June 28 through July 1, 2009, at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.

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 $76 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.

************************************************

TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Championship
PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Wanamaker Course
(Men Par 72, 7,043)
(Women Par 72, 5,938)