Countdown to the 21st Senior PGA Professional National Championship

In just nine days, the 21st Senior PGA Professional National Championship will be held at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The 264-player field consists of PGA Professionals at least 50 years of age, as of the Championship, who have qualified through one of the 41 PGA Sections.

The winner of the Senior PGA Professional National Championship will have his name inscribed on the Leo F. Fraser Trophy and will receive a first-place check for $20,000 from a total purse of $285,000.

The low-35 finishers will qualify for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship, May 24-30, at Colorado Golf Club in Denver, Colo. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive an exemption into the 2010 Senior PGA Professional National Championship.

In addition, the top-5 finishers will be exempt into the Champions Tour National Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they have submitted an entry by the entry deadline.

Remembering the 2006 Senior PGA Professional National Championship:

PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Blaine, Wash., captured the Leo F. Fraser Trophy with a record Championship-total of 17-under-par 271 at the 18th Senior PGA Professional National Championship.

Jim White of Lincoln, Neb., previously held the lowest 72-hole score by a winner, which was set in 2004.

The final round produced great drama with the 72-holes ending in a three-way tie between Coston, Chris Starkjohann of Encinitas, Calif., and John Mazza of Beaver Falls, Pa.

On the first playoff hole, Mazza recorded a bogey, while Coston and Starkjohann carded pars. On the second playoff hole, both players had birdie opportunities.

After Starkjohann missed his attempt, Coston sank a 25-foot birdie putt for the win and a first place check of $20,000.