2009 champion Thelen making his mark on European Senior Tour

Tim Thelen, the 2009 Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Champion, is making quite a name for himself overseas. The 50-year-old Texas native, a 15-year member of The PGA of America, is trying his hand on the European Senior Tour.

Thelen, who is also a two-time PGA Professional National Champion, has six top-10 finishes in 2011. His best finish is a tie for second at the Van Lanschot Senior Open, in June, at the Royal Haagsche Golf and Country Club in the Netherlands.

But two years prior to his spectacular play, which has him ranked 24th in the European Senior Tour Order of Merit, Thelen was claiming a first PGA Assistant Championship in dominant fashion.

He re-wrote the record books in the 33rd Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship, breaking the 72-hole Championship scoring record of 270 by five strokes, which was previously held by Kyle Flinton of Edmond, Okla., who set the mark in 2003.

Thelen also came within a stroke of the largest margin of victory record, winning by seven strokes. The record of eight strokes was also set by Flinton, who set the mark in 2005.

Kyle Voska of Cincinnati, Ohio, the 2008 Champion, finished in a tie for 39th place.

35th Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship

The Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship will celebrate its 35th edition, Nov. 3-6, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The Championship features 126 PGA assistant professionals and apprentices. The format was changed in 2010 to include the top four finishers from last year’s Championship as well as 122 players who advanced through their Section Championship.

Also at stake, provided the Champion meets eligibility requirements, is a coveted spot in the 45th PGA Professional National Championship presented by Club Car and Mercedes-Benz, June 24-27, 2012, at Bayonet and Black Horse in Seaside, Calif.

Following the first 36 holes of play, the field for the final two rounds will be reduced to the low 70 scorers and ties.

Callaway Golf returns as the title sponsor for the third consecutive year.

The PGA Assistant Championship continues a tradition of excellence in bringing together some of the most talented players in The PGA of America as well as being models of the caliber of members who make up the world's largest working sports organization. 

Past champions include past Ryder Cup Team members Fred Funk and Loren Roberts, and past PGA Professional National Champions Darrell Kestner, Tim Thelen and Bruce Zabriski. 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem finished in a tie for third in 1998.