Club Car Pro-Pro Scramble / Georgia Section PGA / March 14, 2011

[Yoda]

I appreciate the encouragement. I'm getting my game in shape for June, so I'm going to play in as much as I can.

[Bold emphasis by Yoda.]

June would be June 26-29, 2011, the competition dates of the PGA of America's club pro signature event: the Professional National Championship, aka, the PNC, to be held at Hershey CC in Hershey, Pennsylvania. http://www.pgamediaguide.com/cpc.cfm.

Oh, my bad, this link talks only in general about the PNC and in specific only about the 2010 Championship. So let's try here: http://www.pgamediaguide.com/cpc_yearsearch_action.cfm. Oops. Even when you click on all the available clicks within, no info. Bummer.

So, sorry, there is no information readily available on the PGA's site about this year's tournament. Leaving that aside for a moment . . .

For Touring Professionals, there are four majors. For Club Professionals, there is only one: the PNC. It is internationally televised, and simply making the field is a career accomplishment. A finish in the top twenty earns the right to tee it up in the PGA Championship, the last of the four majors, and with arguably the deepest and most prestigious field.

Now, revisiting the above, a personal vent:

The PGA is dropping the ball here. So much excitement, such a leading venue, and such a blue-ribbon field: from its vast membership of 28,000, only a handful of players qualify each year. Yet here we are, entering spring, and I can find nothing on the upcoming championship and its field. Only a recap of last year's event. Work needs to be done.

Here's a little something from Hershey CC: http://www.hersheycountryclub.com/golf/pga_pnc.php

Otherwise, on the PGA website, nada. Maybe someone can lead me to it, but I've googled a half dozen times in several definitive ways and get nothing. I know there must be information out there. Those in the know, please post a clue.

Thanks.

Meanwhile, I am proud to say that four Lynn Blake students will be participating in this year's event:

Ted Fort, 2006 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year;

Kip Henley, 2010 Tennessee PGA Champion (and Brian Gay's caddie);

Jeff Hull, 2007 Georgia PGA Champion, Player of the Year, and Georgia Open Champion;

Curt Sanders, 2009 and 2010 Carolinas Section Player of the Year.

A good crew.

[KevCarter]

...and Patrick will also be representing LBG as a member of the gallery!

I'm really excited to follow your play guys. what an honor just to have qualified, it's like playing in the US Open for PGA Professionals, our major championship.

Unfortunately, I'll also think of this years tournament as the first one where one of my golf heroes, Bob Boyd will not be around to see it. A great player, 1988 Champion, and wonderful man who made my experience at the 1995 championship so memorable. RIP Mr. Boyd. 55 years old, far too young...

Kevin

[O.B.Left]

...and Patrick will also be representing LBG as a member of the gallery!

I'm really excited to follow your play guys. what an honor just to have qualified, it's like playing in the US Open for PGA Professionals, our major championship.

Unfortunately, I'll also think of this years tournament as the first one where one of my golf heroes, Bob Boyd will not be around to see it. A great player, 1988 Champion, and wonderful man who made my experience at the 1995 championship so memorable. RIP Mr. Boyd. 55 years old, far too young...

Kevin

Did you play in it in '95 Kev? Awesome.

[KevCarter]

Did you play in it in '95 Kev? Awesome.

I did play in 1995. Each round I was paired with a former champion of the event. Mr. Boyd was a gentleman that would fit right in here. He knew how to have fun, and was always concerned about everybody else in his group. A very memorable experience.

First round of the event at the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West. I hit all 9 greens on the front, two birdies, one three putt bogey. It all went south on the 10th hole, double. Around the 15th or 16th hole, par 5, three groups waiting on the tee. Drive up, lost, drive back, watched this over and over...

Finally our groups turn. I walk up to the tee with a 4 iron. Bob stops me.

BOB - Kevin, what the F are you doing?

ME - I'm playing safe. I don't want to lose my ball. Every body else is having such a hard time up there.

BOB - Kevin, you are 4 over par. What the F are you thinking? If you hit that 4 iron I'm never talking to you again! Go grab your driver, hit you a big one down the middle, make yourself an eagle and get back into this thing!

We all laughed, I grabbed my driver and smoked it down the middle. Made par but was proud of myself for trying. Ended up with 77 that day. I'll never forget Bob Boyd though...

Kevin

[innercityteacher]

I did play in 1995. Each round I was paired with a former champion of the event. Mr. Boyd was a gentleman that would fit right in here. He knew how to have fun, and was always concerned about everybody else in his group. A very memorable experience.

First round of the event at the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West. I hit all 9 greens on the front, two birdies, one three putt bogey. It all went south on the 10th hole, double. Around the 15th or 16th hole, par 5, three groups waiting on the tee. Drive up, lost, drive back, watched this over and over...

Finally our groups turn. I walk up to the tee with a 4 iron. Bob stops me.

BOB - Kevin, what the F are you doing?

ME - I'm playing safe. I don't want to lose my ball. Every body else is having such a hard time up there.

BOB - Kevin, you are 4 over par. What the F are you thinking? If you hit that 4 iron I'm never talking to you again! Go grab your driver, hit you a big one down the middle, make yourself an eagle and get back into this thing!

We all laughed, I grabbed my driver and smoked it down the middle. Made par but was proud of myself for trying. Ended up with 77 that day. I'll never forget Bob Boyd though...

Kevin

Nice, Kev and I can't wait until you can show me that form or better, again.
Someday, after Cuscowilla!


ICT

[O.B.Left]

I did play in 1995. Each round I was paired with a former champion of the event. Mr. Boyd was a gentleman that would fit right in here. He knew how to have fun, and was always concerned about everybody else in his group. A very memorable experience.

First round of the event at the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West. I hit all 9 greens on the front, two birdies, one three putt bogey. It all went south on the 10th hole, double. Around the 15th or 16th hole, par 5, three groups waiting on the tee. Drive up, lost, drive back, watched this over and over...

Finally our groups turn. I walk up to the tee with a 4 iron. Bob stops me.

BOB - Kevin, what the F are you doing?

ME - I'm playing safe. I don't want to lose my ball. Every body else is having such a hard time up there.

BOB - Kevin, you are 4 over par. What the F are you thinking? If you hit that 4 iron I'm never talking to you again! Go grab your driver, hit you a big one down the middle, make yourself an eagle and get back into this thing!

We all laughed, I grabbed my driver and smoked it down the middle. Made par but was proud of myself for trying. Ended up with 77 that day. I'll never forget Bob Boyd though...

Kevin

Great story Kev, thanks. What an experience.

Cheers

[Yoda]

I did play in 1995. Each round I was paired with a former champion of the event. Mr. Boyd was a gentleman that would fit right in here. He knew how to have fun, and was always concerned about everybody else in his group. A very memorable experience.

First round of the event at the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West. I hit all 9 greens on the front, two birdies, one three putt bogey. It all went south on the 10th hole, double. Around the 15th or 16th hole, par 5, three groups waiting on the tee. Drive up, lost, drive back, watched this over and over...

Finally our groups turn. I walk up to the tee with a 4 iron. Bob stops me.

BOB - Kevin, what the F are you doing?

ME - I'm playing safe. I don't want to lose my ball. Every body else is having such a hard time up there.

BOB - Kevin, you are 4 over par. What the F are you thinking? If you hit that 4 iron I'm never talking to you again! Go grab your driver, hit you a big one down the middle, make yourself an eagle and get back into this thing!

We all laughed, I grabbed my driver and smoked it down the middle. Made par but was proud of myself for trying. Ended up with 77 that day. I'll never forget Bob Boyd though...

Kevin

Great memory, Kevin. I'm copying all my friends in the Carolinas with this. I never knew Bob Boyd, but I had three emails from friends who did within 24 hours of his death. I've since learned a whole lot about him and his life in golf.

His untimely death was a major loss. For those who knew him, your story will help ease the transition.

[KevCarter]

Thanks YODA!!

[YodasLuke]

I took the wrappers off my new Mizuno JPX woods on Monday. I shot 71 with 2 birdies and one bogey, at the Piedmont Driving Club.

So, EVERY round that I have EVER played with my new woods has been under par!

Rounds to date: 1