PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., is set to welcome 120 of the best PGA assistant professionals and apprentices as they compete in the 31st edition of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship, Oct. 25-28, on the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses.
The field features past champions Kyle Flinton of Edmond, Okla., a PGA assistant professional at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City, Okla., and Kirk Satterfield (2004) of Manhasset, N.Y. The field also includes an international flavor with assistant professional champions Remi Bouchard from Canada and Jonathan Lupton of England.
Satterfield, PGA assistant professional at Deepdale Golf Club, is hungry for a second title.
"There is a bit of confidence that comes with winning a Championship like this," said Satterfield, who triumphed in 2004 by one stroke over Victor Trolio of West Point, Miss. "I came from behind in the final round in 2004 and the leaders came back to me a bit. I played well enough to win that year and I am preparing as hard as I can knowing that I can go out there and win another Championship."
Satterfield knows, however, that capturing another TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship will not be an easy task due to the high level of play that is expected this week.
"These are guys who have mastered two professions, said Satterfield. "They are not only tournament-tested but are also making a huge contribution to the game of golf at their local facilities."
Flinton, the only three-time winner of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship, feels that he may have a big advantage going into this week's Championship.
"I think course knowledge is really big," said Flinton, who is competing in his seventh consecutive Championship. "I fell in love with this place and it really fits my eye well each time I play either course."
Flinton also knows that if he can put himself in good position early in the week he will have a chance to win a fourth Championship.
"As the week progresses, I play better," said Flinton. "I am not going to let up and someone is going to have to come and beat me."
Following the first 36 holes of play, the field for the final two rounds will be reduced to the low 70 scorers and ties.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf returns as the title sponsor for the seventh consecutive year.
For more then 30 years, this Championship has produced many outstanding PGA Professionals who have gone onto successful careers in teaching and administering the game, as well as competing at the highest level on the PGA and Champions Tour.
The winner of the TaylorMade-adidas PGA Assistant Professional Championship will collect $9,000 of the $100,000 purse and if eligible, will earn a berth in the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. The low apprentice finisher, if eligible, will be invited to the 2008 Australian PGA National Futures Championship.
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
