2007 PPNC Championship News Feed

Hot front nine boosts Sullivan to PGA's national crown

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:45:00 EDT

Ryan Benzel of Seattle, making his initial start in this event, grinded his way to a 73 on a blustery Saturday at the Crosswater Course. He maintains a slim lead over Virginians John O'Leary and Chip Sullivan heading into Sunday's grand finale.

PGA Professional National Championship final results

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:26:00 EDT

Sullivan leads 10 players onto U.S. PGA Cup team

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:03:00 EDT

The 2007 U.S. PGA Cup Team was finalized at the conclusion of play on Sunday. The 10 PGA Professionals who made the squad will face Great Britain-Ireland in the 22nd PGA Cup in September at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia.

Top 20 finishers at Sunriver will be living on Tulsa Time

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:55:00 EDT

Everyone in the field this week wanted to claim the Walter Hagen Cup. But 19 players along with champion Chip Sullivan earned a very special consolation prize -- a berth in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in August.

Whitcomb Blog: Sullivan's victory caps amazing week

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:59:00 EDT

In the final edition of his blog from Sunriver, PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb says that this event will be one he remembers and cherishes the rest of his life, and that the week is one that typifies the best of the PGA of America.

First-timer Benzel edges one shot ahead after 54 holes

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:41:00 EDT

Sullivan's travels take a turn for the better at Sunriver

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:15:00 EDT

Health issues in the last year left Chip Sullivan's competitive golf career very much in doubt. But by soaring up the leaderboard into a tie for second Saturday, the big question the Virginian now has to answer is whether he can win on Sunday.

Experience is a key for two-time champion Thelen

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:00:00 EDT

Having won this event in both 2000 and 2003, Tim Thelen knows what to expect in the final round Sunday. Even if he isn't playing his best, the Texan says, he believes that knowing what to expect will serve him well at crunch time.

Whitcomb Blog: Enjoying Saturday, anticipating Sunday

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 19:59:00 EDT

In the latest entry of his blog, PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb reveals his grand Saturday night plans and explains that, as great as the entire week has been, the biggest excitement will come with the crowning of a new champion.

Small and Benzel share the lead at halfway in Sunriver

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:41:00 EDT

University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small and Ryan Benzel of Seattle are tied at the top after two rounds, one shot ahead of Craig Thomas. Past champs Bob Sowards, Wayne DeFrancesco and Tim Thelen are also still in the chase.

Benzel checking off goals in surprisingly quick fashion

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:15:00 EDT

Second-round co-leader Ryan Benzel is having amazingly good success in knocking items off his to-do list, but he's nowhere near satisfied yet. His hot putting also has his friends back at the Seattle Golf Club excitedly following his progress.

From big-time host to big-time player, Ford does it all

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:55:00 EDT

Last week, Bob Ford was hosting the U.S. Open at Oakmont. A few days later, he is once again contending for the title here at Sunriver. It's hard to top the U.S. Open, he says, but stresses that this event is always the highlight of his summer.

Whitcomb Blog: Enjoying friends and family at home

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:59:00 EDT

In the latest entry of his blog, PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb shares all the fun he's having with this big event essentially in his back yard. He's got a house full of people, and is busy socializing and enjoying the tournament.

Hot putter puts Starkjohann out front after Round One

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:47:00 EDT

Chris Starkjohann had an amazing nine one-putts in his 5-under 66 Thursday, and leads Bill Amundsen, Frank Esposito and Kevin Burton by a shot after Round One. Former champs Tim Thelen and Wayne DeFrancesco are three shots back.

Notebook: Sooner State finding aces a plenty in Oregon

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:58:00 EDT

Only five of the 312 players in the field are from Oklahoma, but both of the holes in one on Thursday came from Sooners. Also, how elevation changes are affecting the players -- and the range guardians, and how one player inspired one of the TOUR's best.

After a hectic week, Amundsen enjoys a dream start

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:47:00 EDT

Bill Amundsen spent last week working 12-hour days at Skyline Golf Club back in Black River Falls, Wis. But he racked up five birdies in his first nine holes Thursday en route to stellar 67 that put him high up the first-day leaderboard.

Oklahoma's Tetley gets lift from second career ace

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:41:00 EDT

Kyley Tetley had played golf for 22 years before making his first career hole-in-one last April. Just two months later he got his second, and the fact it came in the PGA Professional National Championship on Thursday made it all the more sweeter.

Maryland couple becomes event's first husband-wife duo

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:17:00 EDT

PGA Professionals Brendon Post and Patricia Post aren't just a married couple. On Thursday at Sunriver, they made history as the first husband and wife to tee it up against each other in the PGA Professional National Championship.

Whitcomb Blog: A great start to a great event

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:59:00 EDT

In his second blog from the 40th PGA Professional National Championship, PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb marvels at the Sunriver Resort courses, the staff, the volunteers and even the caddies. And, he says, it's only going to get better.

PGA instructors provide juniors with valuable lessons

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:39:00 EDT

Youngsters from the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association got a rare treat Wednesday, when they received advice on golf and life from a special group of seven PGA Professionals, including four who own national championships.

Burke Cromer -- Golf's version of The Natural

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:20:00 EDT

Before 1996 Burke Cromer had never played golf. But after a shoulder injury ended his once-promising professional baseball career, he took up the game. Wise move. Today he finds himself competing in the biggest tournament for PGA Professionals.

PGA Professionals relish opportunity to showcase skills

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:27:00 EDT

For most of the year, PGA Professionals are hidden behind desks, pro shop counters and the quirky swings of members whacking balls on the range. But for one glorious week, the best of the best tee it up in their national championship.

Youth clinic offers valuable lessons to junior golfers

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:44:00 EDT

Defending PGA Professional National Champion Ron Philo Jr. and two-time Champion Tim Thelen were among a handful of PGA Professionals to provide lessons to young golfers during the PGA Community Relations Youth Clinic held Wednesday.

Blog: PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 08:08:00 EDT

This is a special week for Brian Whitcomb. Not only is the 40th PGA Professional National Championship his first as president of The PGA of America, but it's being staged in his home state of Oregon. Here is the first of his daily blogs for PGA.com.

Small looking to rebound after disappointing U.S. Open

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:52:00 EDT

2005 PGA Professional National Champion Mike Small of Champaign, Ill., endured "a long, tough two days" at the U.S. Open, but the University of Illinois golf coach is looking forward to finding his rythm at Sunriver Resort.

Sunriver Resort: A versatile venue with 'True Grit'

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:31:00 EDT

The late John Wayne would have loved the course The PGA of America picked out for its 40th PGA Professional National Championship. Sunriver Resort features a gruff golf courses built to test the best of players.

Course Tours: Crosswater Golf Club | Meadows Golf Course

Philo Jr. making a name for himself since '06 win

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:59:00 EDT

Ron Philo Jr. has enjoyed the spoils of his playoff victory at the 2006 PGA Professional National Championship, chief among them stepping out of the shadow of sister, LPGA star and one-time caddie Laura Diaz.

GOLF CHANNEL marks 10th Anniversary of coverage

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:19:00 EDT

While the PGA Professional National Championship celebrates its 40th anniversary at Sunriver Resort in Oregon, GOLF CHANNEL will celebrate its 10th anniversary of televising the premier event for PGA Professionals.

'08 National Championship returning to Georgia

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:53:00 EDT

The PGA Professional National Championship will return to the state of Georgia for the first time since 1979 when the 2008 edition of the showcase event for PGA Professionals moves to Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro.

2006 Recap: Philo flies to first title in playoff

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:58:00 EDT

It was no surprise that the 39th PGA Professional National Championship couldn't be settled in regulation, what with a field packed with 312 of the best PGA Professionals in the nation. Ron Philo Jr. finally prevailed on the third extra hole.