Jeff Coston has had one of his most memorable years in golf, and his hunger to achieve has not subsided.
Coston, who turns 52 three days before defending a national title, is a PGA teaching professional at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club in Blaine, Wash.
He began a memorable ride of accomplishments by winning the 2006 Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship. He followed by finishing tied for 19th last May at the Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort, where he took home Low PGA Golf Professional honors.
A month later in Sunriver, Ore., Coston tied for 37th in the 40th PGA Professional National Championship.
He will defend his title, Oct. 18-21, in the Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
"The past year has been great," said the 10-time Pacific Northwest Player of the Year. "I love the courses that we get to play in Port St. Lucie and I am looking forward to defending my title against my fellow PGA Golf Professionals.
"I am so grateful to The PGA of America for giving golf professionals the ability to play in Tour events like the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship when we are able to qualify through our [PGA of America member] events."
Coston will join the 263 other PGA Section qualifiers at the 19th Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional Championship at The PGA Golf Club, The PGA of America's first owned and operated facility.
The field consists of the top PGA Golf Professionals who are at least 50 years of age. Seven other past champions are set to compete including Bob Irving (1995) of Sarasota, Fla., Tom Joyce (1990, '91) of Huntington, N.Y., Roger B. Kennedy (1992, '94) of Stuart, Fla., Ed Sabo (2000, '01) of Tequesta, Fla., Mike San Fillippo (2002, '05) of Hobe Sound, Fla., Wesley Smith (1998) of Naples, Fla., Jeff Thomsen (2003) of Boise, Idaho and James White (2004) of Lincoln, Neb.
For the seventh consecutive year, The PGA Golf Club will host the National Championship on its Ryder and Wanamaker courses. The field will be cut to the low 70 scorers and ties following the completion of the second round.
PGA Golf Club General Manager Bob Baldassari, who is hosting his first National Championship since taking the position, is excited about this year's competition.
"While it's fun to host the day-to-day operations and golfers from all over, it is extra special to get to host a National Championship such as the Senior PGA Professional," said Baldassari, who took the position in June. "For them [Senior PGA Golf Professionals] to get on a grand stage like this is great. You have been able to win at the Section level and you just hope to carry that success over to the national level."
The winner of the Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship will have his name inscribed on the Leo F. Fraser Trophy and will receive a first-place check for $20,000 from a total purse of $285,000.
In addition, the low 35 finishers will qualify for the 2008 Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club [East Course] in Rochester, N.Y. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive exemptions into the 2008 Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional Championship. In addition, the top 10 finishers will be exempt into the Champions Tour National Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they have filled out an entry by the deadline.
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 Golf Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
