Creighton Farms, River Creek Club to again host Southworth Senior PNC

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – For the second consecutive year, Creighton Farms in Aldie, Va., and River Creek Club in Leesburg, Va., will co-host the 2012 Southworth Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz, Oct. 11-14.

The 264-player field will be composed of Senior PGA Professionals representing the 41 PGA Sections, who will compete for a total purse of $285,000 on both courses over the first two rounds of play.

Creighton Farms, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, will again host the final 36 holes of competition.

Southworth Development, with headquarters in Newton, Mass., is now in its second year of title sponsorship.

"The Senior PGA Professional National Championship is always one of our most popular events," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "We will once again be able to showcase some of the best players in our Association at venues that have proven to be two of the most challenging in event history."

Creighton Farms, a par-72, 7,410-yard layout that opened in 2008, was one of two private courses in the world to achieve recognition by Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, and Travel Leisure Golf in the same season. In 2009, Golfweek selected Creighton Farms among its "Best New Private Golf Courses." Creighton Farms reflects the Nicklaus trademark of a challenging design, focusing on course management strategy and precision rather than power.

"We are proud to be hosting the Southworth Senior PGA Professional National Championship for a second year," said David Southworth, president of Southworth Development. "It's an exciting time for Creighton Farms and we are glad to have our new Clubhouse and the course enjoyed by the Senior PGA Professionals and all who are involved with this Championship. We look forward to once again working with The PGA, Mercedes-Benz and River Creek Club for this event."

River Creek Club, a challenging, 7,036-yard, par-72 layout, was designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, with Tom Clark of Marshall, Va., the lead architect in the regional firm. River Creek Club made its debut in 1997 as one of three golf courses nestled on the Potomac River, and bearing challenging, large undulating greens as its signature and most prominent set of challenges.

"It will be exciting and a privilege to host this Championship at River Creek Club for a second consecutive year," said Josh McKim, PGA Head Professional at River Creek Club. "We know that our golf course will offer a stern test of golf to each player as well a beautiful view of the Potomac River."

Begun in 1989, the Senior PGA Professional National Championship is modeled after the PGA Professional National Championship, with a field of 50-and-older senior PGA Professionals who advanced through 41 Section Championships conducted from July through September each year.

The top 35 finishers in the National Championship earn a berth in the 74th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, May 23-26, 2013, at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

The top five finishers earn an exemption into the final stage of the 2012 Champions Tour National Finals. Since its debut, many participants in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship have used their success in the event as a springboard to a Champions Tour career.

About Southworth Development LLC
Southworth Development LLC is a privately held company specializing in the development of residential resort and hospitality-branded real estate communities. Founded by David Southworth, Southworth Development's expertise includes master-planned community development; asset management; golf course construction management and resort and golf operations management. In 2006, Southworth Development took a quantum leap forward when Joe Deitch, a longtime close friend of David Southworth, joined the company as a co-owner and visionary partner. Together they have worked to position the company to succeed in the dramatically changing world of real estate and resort development. Through Southworth's wholly owned subsidiaries, Southworth Golf and Southworth Europe Ltd., Southworth has become a leader in the international resort and golf development industry serving communities in the United States, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, and Scotland.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.