PGA Professional Championship: What you need to know; historical nuggets and tidbits

The PGA Professional Championship is set to begin on Sunday. Here’s everything you can expect from the 50th edition of the event, along with key historical nuggets and tidbits.

The Event

The PGA Professional Championship, the premier event for PGA Professionals, brings together the finest playing PGA Club Professionals. Founded in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship is the largest all-professional national event. Each year, 312 players representing 41 Sections and an overall qualifying group of more than 3,900, gather for a national Championship.

Gateway to a Major

The PGA Professional Championship rewards the low 20 finishers with a berth into the PGA Championship as part of the strongest field in golf. In 2016, Rich Berberian Jr., became just the second New England PGA Member to win the Championship and earn a major berth among the game’s finest players. Berberian earned six PGA Tour exemptions by winning last year’s Championship and this season has made the cut in two PGA Tour events.

The Best of the Association

PGA Professionals competing in the national Championship are regarded as experts in the game and the business of golf. PGA Professionals represent their host facility and its members who regard them as the best in teaching, managing and administering, in addition to playing at a high level.

The PGA Professional Championship Returns to Central Oregon

The PGA Professional Championship returns to Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon for the fourth time, and first since 2013. The golden anniversary of the Championship continues a tradition of attracting the finest playing PGA Professionals to some of America’s most respected golf destinations.

The Makeup of the Field

The field features players representing 44 states and 41 PGA Sections. There are 14 Past Champions in the field.

Volunteers – The Heart & Soul of a Championship

The 50th PGA Professional Championship features 500 volunteers, who join the staffs of Crosswater Club and Meadows Golf Course.

Golf Channel Audience

The PGA Professional Championship is broadcast in 2017 to more than 81 million in 20 countries. Golf Channel features 19 hours of live & replay coverage from Sunriver Resort.