CPC Notebook: Griffing wants to play well as a present for his parents

Plus, CPC rookie Jerry Haas is pulling double duty, Chris van der Velde makes an international debut, and more.

By Bob Denney, PGA of America

NASHPORT, Ohio (PGA.com) -- Quinn Griffing entered the 37th PGA Club Professional Championship with a little extra incentive. The head professional at Sycamore Golf Course in North Manchester, Ind., wanted to play well as a present for his parents, who will soon celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

"My folks are having their 50th wedding anniversary so I want to give them a nice gift," said Griffing, who in the first round set the stage for a wonderful gift by shooting a solid 3-under 69 to sit three shots out of the lead.

"Now, that's a milestone. This is all immaterial. My dad's not really a golfer, but he enjoys following me. So I'd like to play good for them."

HAAS DOES DOUBLE DUTY:

Jerry Haas, head coach at Wake Forest University, made his CPC debut with a 3-over-par 75, and then rested briefly before heading back to the course to serve as on course reporter for The Golf Channel. Haas is the brother of PGA Tour star Jay Haas.

INTERNATIONAL DEBUT:

Chris van der Velde of Voorhout, Holland, turned in a 78, which was not the best of debuts for being the first internationally employed PGA Professional to compete in the CPC. An affiliate of the Georgia PGA Section, van der Velde has returned to the United States often to maintain his membership requirements, and earned his berth in the CPC by finishing tied for 23rd in the 2003 Southern PGA Club Professional Championship.

NINTH HOLE IS A DOOZY:

The 156-player field averaged 74.29 strokes in the opening round, which featured the toughest hole on the course -- the demanding, 185-yard, par-3 ninth hole. The hole yielded an average of 3.39 strokes and only 15 birdies, while producing 266 bogeys and 38 double bogeys.

NO SMALL RESUME:

First-round leader Mike Small, who has played in a combined 134 tour events (Nationwide and PGA) from 1990 to the present, quit the Tour full-time in 2000 and became a college coach. His playing resume includes a pair of victories in 1997 on the former Nike Tour -- the Monterey Open and Nike Cleveland Open, and earnings of $194,612 in 95 overall events. His best showing on the PGA Tour was a share of ninth place in the 1998 Bell Canadian Open. In 39 PGA Tour events, Small earned $144,641.

"I have a great situation now, being able to teach, practice and recruit," said Small. "It’s perfect in the fact that I’m still in golf in my job and play and practice as I want. Playing in these events is what’s fun and gets me away and re-energized for the school season."

OLDIES BUT GOODIES:

Though records are incomplete, the 37th CPC may have set a mark with 10 contestants aged 50 and older. The eldest member of the 10 is 1984 Champion Bill Schumaker of Columbia City, Ind., whom Thursday broke the record for most rounds played with 78. He edged the late Larry Gilbert of Lexington, Ky., who won three Championships. Schumaker also has 25 overall CPC appearances, three more than 1980 Champion John Traub of Rochester Hills, Mich., who is in this week’s field.