AUBURN, AL (September 10, 2019) – The 2019 Alabama – NW Florida PGA Professional Championship, presented by Cadillac, Club Car & Omega was contested on Monday and Tuesday at the Auburn University Club. Being one of the premiere events the Section hosts, it also serves as a qualifier for the 2020 PGA Professional Championship being held in April at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX. Eric Williamson, PGA Director of Golf at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, would finish with a two-day total of seven-under par 137 to take the title and the first qualifying spot.
Day one of the Championship got started at 8:00 AM with a field of forty-five players. Temperatures rose to a scorching ninety-five degrees with a heat index well over one hundred. Nonetheless, it didn’t hinder Andrew Peyton, PGA Assistant Professional at Indian Hills Country Club, from firing a five-under par round of sixty-seven. Filing in closely behind Peyton at two-under par would be Life Member, Mike Genovese, while Todd McCorkle of Old Overton Club, Rea Scheussler of Gulf Shores Golf Club and Eric Williamson all closed out round one with rounds of one-under par.
At the conclusion of round one the Auburn University Club and the Jerry Pate Company hosted an evening party at the club for all participants and tournament staff. The party featured live music from American Idol contestant, Brittany Grimes, and a closest-to-the-hole contest on the putting green. All participants had three opportunities from eighty yards to win closest to the hole and the $250 cash prize. It was a special night for all participants to enjoy great food and even better company!
Day two was met with temperatures just as hot as the first day. The final group of Peyton, McCorkle and Genovese got off to a slow start as all three shot over par on the front nine. While Peyton was able to salvage an even-par back nine and McCorkle rallied with five birdies, it still would not be enough to top Williamson who had a blemish-free front nine of five-under par and sealed the victory with a one-under back nine.
Williamson, Peyton and McCorkle took the three qualifying spots for the 2020 PGA Professional Championship while Mike Genovese took the first alternate spot. Rea Scheussler and Jeff Jordan (Mountain Brook Club) would face in a sudden death playoff to decide the second and third alternate spots. Scheussler would birdie the first playoff hole to take the second alternate position.
The Alabama – NW Florida PGA would like to extend its sincerest thanks and highest praise to General Manager Mr. Jimmy Green, PGA Professional Ricky Smallridge and Head Golf Professional Brooks Moody, for their hospitality and hosting our PGA Professionals at one of the Section’s premier venues. Additionally, a big thank you to Wesley Pate and Michael Jersey with Club Car & Jerry Pate Company for always taking the best of care with our Section’s PGA Professionals.
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