Coston one round away from rewriting history

By Bob Denney

NASHPORT, Ohio (PGA.com) -- Jeff Coston came into the 37th PGA Club Professional Championship attempting not to let history catch up to him. Now, the teaching professional from Blaine, Wash., stands one round from writing his own special chapter in the nation’s showcase event for PGA Professionals.

Coston collected three birdies and one bogey Saturday at Longaberger Golf Club to post a 2-under-par 70 and 54-hole-total of 12-under-par 204 total, and a two-stroke margin over Bob Sowards of Columbus, Ohio, whose 69 tied for the day’s low round.

Mike Small of Savoy, Ill., is two strokes further behind in third at 208 after a 70, followed by Robert Thompson of Huntsville, Texas, at 209 after a 72, and Chip Sullivan of Troutville, Va., fifth at 210 after closing with a 71.

A 48-year-old teaching professional at Semiahmoo Golf Resort in Blaine, Wash., Coston has competed on the PGA Tour, in several U.S. Opens, and on the former Ben Hogan and Nike Tours. Yet, the PGA Club Professional Championship has been his golfing Waterloo.

His best finish was a tie for 27th in 1998, and he had never enjoyed a round below par. This week, Coston has erased all of that by dominating a field of 156 representing 39 states and making central Ohio feel like it was his home.

“I’ve played like a dog in this Championship every time I’ve been in it,” said Coston. “I’ve played every tour but the women’s tour, and maybe I should have tried that. But, I know I have the capability of playing better. My best finish on the PGA Tour was seventh.

“You got to get it done. I feel good about my game; I feel good about my plan. But, there are no guarantees in golf, like there are no guarantees in life. My goal was to have fun and not grind too hard. I just want to enjoy the journey.”

Sowards is attempting to become the first Ohioan to win the CPC since Rex Baxter of Cleveland captured the title in 1970. He praised his playing partner.

“He’s a very solid player and he could have played a lot better today,” said Sowards. “It’s going to be tough to run him down.”

The journey Coston made in the third round was relatively error-free. He birdied the first hole from eight feet, two-putted for another on the par-5 fourth, while Sowards bogeyed, building a temporary five-stroke lead over Small and Sowards.

Sowards then rallied with birdies at the sixth, seventh and 10th holes and saw the deficit trimmed to two strokes when Coston three-putted the par-3 12th hole. But Coston didn’t slip any further, picking up a birdie at the 16th by two-putting from 20 feet from the fringe.

Sowards bogeyed the 14th, then came back with birdies at the 15th and 16th holes.

“I’m going to try and birdie every hole," Sowards said. "My goal was four rounds in the 60s and I figured I'd be in good shape. I've got three of them, just need one more. If that's not good enough, then I played well. I'll just try and go as low as I can tomorrow.”

Coston, who has only three bogeys through 54 holes, has one “weapon” in his arsenal that has allowed him to keep his lead. He’s hit 86 percent of the fairways, which has allowed him to erase the scars of a 74.94 scoring average entering the Championship.

One goal for Coston appears to be decided. The low 25 scorers Sunday earn a berth in the 86th PGA Championship, Aug. 12-15, at Whistling Straits-Straits Course in Kohler, Wis.

Now, there’s a matter of holding on long enough to win a national championship.

“I’m going to sleep well,” said Coston. “My wife loves me; I’ve been married 27 years. My kids love me. If I win or don’t win this thing, my life’s not going to change. I’m still going to be teaching next week. If I won the PGA Championship or U.S. Open, my life would change. But I think I’ll sleep well. I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

The 37th PGA Club Professional Championship, which concludes Sunday, is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Buick and Club Car.

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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