Thelen thinking record-tying three

Reigning PGA Club Professional Chmapion Tim Thelen heads to Longaberger Golf Club eyeing a record-tying third crown, which would tie him with the late Larry Gilbert for most CPC titles.

By PGA.com News Services

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (PGA.com) -- Born in Minnesota, defending PGA Club Professional Champion Tim Thelen perfected his game in southern Texas. However, he has not forgotten his golf roots.

"I know the grasses up there, having grown up playing bent grass greens," said Thelen, a 43-year-old native of Albany, Minn. "I always felt I could putt better because those greens were true. There were very few imperfections in the putting surfaces. It will be nice to have the opportunity to play bent grass greens again in The CPC."

The most consistent performer in the past decade at the national level, Thelen will make his bid for a record-tying third PGA Club Professional Championship, June 24-27, at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio. A win would tie Thelen with the late Larry Gilbert for the most CPC titles.

The 37th CPC, featuring a $450,000 purse, is making its first visit to Ohio on a 7,225-yard Arthur Hills design that is one of the country's premier public-access facilities.

"I have heard a lot about the course and particularly the slopes of the greens," said Thelen, an assistant professional at Bushwood Golf Center in Houston. "That is why I hope that my work in putting is going to be worthwhile. I seem to have my speed down much better this year."

Thelen captured his first CPC in 2000 in a five-hole playoff at Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Okla., and won last year's title by a stroke at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. He has competed in the CPC six times, posting a 71.5 stroke average and earning $136,049. He tied for second in 2001, shared fifth in 2002, tied for eighth in 1999 and shared 27th in his debut in 1998.

"I'm looking forward to the CPC, as I always do," said Thelen, who warmed up this month by winning the Memorial Tournament, one of the "major" events of the Southern Texas PGA Section. "The CPC is a chance to see my friends. I don't look upon having any pressure to perform. Pressure is what one puts on oneself. Having won it twice, it does make me feel more relaxed."

Thelen is the only Southern Texas PGA member to win the national crown, but he will once again have familiar contenders from his section joining him in the field: Robert Thompson of Huntsville, a teaching professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas; Chip Craig of Kingwood, an assistant professional at Deerwood Club; and Ken Kelley o f Houston, the head professional at Houston National Golf Club.

"They are good ball strikers and have bee among our best players for several years," said Thelen. "Robert Thompson always plays well in the CPC, and I expect him to do so again." Thompson tied for ninth in 1998 and has made seven cuts in seven appearances.

One segment of Thelen's game plan will not change. His wife, Lucinda, who first caddied for him in 2001 when he tied for runner-up honors in Sunriver, Ore. , will be on the bag again in Ohio.

"We're going to do it again, and yes, it has been fun and worked out pretty well," said Thelen.

The 37th PGA Club Professional 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. The Greg Norman Collection, Amstel Light and Buckler are supporting sponsors. The Golf Channel is an exclusive media partner and the PGA Tour a contributing partner.

The Championship began in 1968 and is limited to PGA members employed as golf professionals. Past Champions include the 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.

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.

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