PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will welcome 264 senior PGA members this week, serving as host for the seventh consecutive year of the Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship. The four-day stroke-play competition will be contested on the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses.
This year's competition promises to be one of the most competitive in the history of the championship. In addition to eight past Champions, the field also features four past PGA Professional National Champions, including 1988 Champion Bob Boyd of Wilmington, N.C., who makes his debut in the championship and a return to national competition after surviving a second bout with leukemia.
Since last May, the 52-year-old Boyd has spent 38 days in the hospital to battle a return of leukemia. He has increased his weight by 20 pounds to 195, and said his daily regimen is composed of a strict diet and exercise to regain the strength he lost over the past several two months.
"I'm excited to be playing again, to see my friends and to be in a great event," said Boyd, who celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Pam, on Monday. "I was shutout in 2005 due to the hurricane, was completely out of golf in '06, and now I get this chance."
Joining Boyd are past National Champions Bruce Zabriski of Jupiter, Fla., the 1997 Champion; Mike Burke Jr. of Towaco, N.J., (1998) and 2001 Champion Wayne DeFrancesco of Baltimore, Md. Other competitors include Jack Connelly, the 32nd President of The PGA of America. Two-time Champion Mike San Filippo of Hobe Sound, Fla., a winner in 2002 and 2005, is among eight past Senior PGA Professional National Champions in the field. He is joined by defending Champion Jeff Coston of Blaine, Wash., Bob Irving (1995) of Sarasota, Fla., Tom Joyce (1990, '91) of Huntington, N.Y., Roger Kennedy (1992, '94) of Stuart, Fla., Ed Sabo (2000, '01) of Tequesta, Fla., Wes Smith (1998) of Naples, Fla., Jeff Thomsen (2003) of Boise, Idaho and Jim White (2004) of Lincoln, Neb.
"I am really looking forward to getting out there and playing this week," said San Filippo, a PGA Life Member whose two titles have come in just four career appearances. "I have a great tee time and pairing going out on the first two days, playing with defending champion Jeff Coston and another former winner, Jim White."
"I really enjoy the camaraderie we have as PGA Professionals during the Championship. We all come from the same background and though the Championship is important and you are playing for exemptions and you have goals, it makes it also a whole lot of fun."
Following the first 36 holes of play, the field will be reduced to the low 70 scorers and ties.
The winner of the Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship will have his name inscribed on the Leo F. Fraser Trophy and also receive a first-place check for $20,000 -- out of a total purse of $285,000.
In addition, the low 35 finishers will earn a berth in the 2008 Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club 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 entry 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.
