Longaberger Golf Club to present challenges in the 37th PGA CPC

The PGA Club Professional Championship, June 24-27, is making its first visit to Ohio, where a five-star course awaits.

By PGA.com News Services

Longaberger Golf Club of Nashport, Ohio, host to the 37th PGA Club Professional Championship, is more than a premier public access golf course.

The 7,225-yard layout doesn't come by its five-star rating in Golf Digest merely on aesthetics.

"It's a fair, but true test of championship golf for the best player as well as a fair test for the average player," said Longaberger Director of Golf Danny Ackerman. "I'm excited about what the course should be like in a few weeks when the country's top PGA Professionals arrive.

"We have been lucky not to have been hit hard by rain that has hurt many other courses in the state. This is a golf course that drains well. It will be in great condition for the Championship."

The PGA Club Professional Championship, June 24-27, is making its first visit to Ohio. The Championship, televised live by The Golf Channel to a potential audience of some 58 million, is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra, Buick and Club Car.

According to Ackerman, the 156-player field representing 39 states and The Netherlands will be challenged chiefly by navigating green speed.

"Because there are generous landing areas for a drive, this is a second-shot golf course," said Ackerman. "You have to be careful on what area of the green you hit your approach. If you can negotiate that, then you will do well in the Championship."

The Championship began in 1968 and is limited to PGA members employed as golf professionals. Past Champions include legendary Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg and Bruce Fleisher. The top 25 finishers earn a berth in the 86th PGA Championship, Aug. 12-15, at Whistling Straits-Straits Course in Kohler, Wis.

"Longaberger Golf Club is extremely proud to be hosting the PGA Club Professional Championship for the first time in Ohio," said Ackerman. "We look forward to welcoming hundreds of spectators who will get to see some great competition on the course.

"We have a popular course, where booking tee times early is a necessity. It's a difficult ticket and we stress the 12-minute intervals between tee times for the public player to give everyone the chance to enjoy the course."

In its latest survey of America's public golf courses (May 2004), Golf Digest named Longaberger Golf Club one of 16 five-star courses and listed the club among the top 10 of all courses opened within the past five years as well as one of the Top 10 in service. The course also was named America's Best New Upscale Public Course of 2000 by Golf Digest.

Longaberger Golf Club opened in 1999 to provide guests with a golf experience of the highest quality on a tournament-caliber public course. The course was designed by nationally known architect Arthur Hills.

The course features bent grass tees, greens and fairways with a bluegrass/ryegrass mix in the rough, five sets of tees for every skill level, a 25-acre practice facility with target greens, two practice greens and a short game area.

Longaberger Golf Club is located about 45 miles east of Columbus off St. Rt. 16, north of the intersection with St. Rt. 146 in eastern Licking County.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.