PINEHURST, N.C. -- Masters Champion Zach Johnson and former Ryder Cup teammate Chris DiMarco aren't running for office, but they were clearly the people's choice, as they met the media and greeted contestants in the inaugural PGA McGladrey Team Championship at Pinehurst Resort.

The Tour professionals, representing "Team McGladrey," made their appearance at the kickoff of the first grassroots national best-ball championship managed by The PGA of America. The twosome, whose golf fortunes have moved in opposite directions this season, shared humor, the importance of balancing family life, and offered tips to the amateur contestants while underscoring that they have the utmost affection for playing for their country.
Zach Johnson at The PGA McGladrey Team Championship
Chris DiMarco at The PGA McGladrey Team Championship
Masters Champion Zach Johnson (top) welcomes the team from the Iowa PGA Section while PGA Tour player Chris DiMarco addresses the media at The PGA McGladrey Team Championship. (Photos: The PGA of America)

"We both love team sports," said Johnson, who along with DiMarco shared in the humbling U.S. loss to Europe in the 2006 Ryder Cup. "I relish the opportunity to play with a team. When you play the Ryder Cup you have 11 other guys backing you up and their families. It helps; I get shivers just thinking about it."

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, which concludes Wednesday, brings together 41 Section Champions, consisting of three amateur team members and a PGA Golf Professional.

Iowa's representative, Brown Deer Golf Course of Coralville, was led by its PGA head professional, Sean McCarty of Solon. He was joined by amateurs Jay Strunk of North Liberty, and Matt Adam and Josh Schamberger, both of Coralville. Though the team struggled to a 7-under-par 137 total in the first round at Pinehurst No. 8, McCarty said his team was excited about having met Johnson on the No. 10 Tee.

"I had not seen Zach in about a year, and for the year he's had, and for the players on my team who had never met him and have never experienced anything like this championship, this made the day all the more special."

DiMarco was asked what makes the team concept unique in golf and what effect it has on the participants in this year's PGA McGladrey Team Championship.

"Three days are going to go by quickly," said DiMarco, "They just need to, more than anything, look around at the place they are playing [Pinehurst] and really enjoy it."

Johnson looked out a big window at Pinehurst No. 2, which has been the scene of many historical moments in golf history. He recalled the signature moment of the 1999 U.S. Open, when the late Payne Stewart captured his final major championship.

"I agree," said Johnson of the amateur contestants in this week's field. "They are all juiced to get here, and I can tell you that in 2005 at the U.S. Open, I was too. I remember seeing the 18th on No. 2, where Payne Stewart made that putt in 1999, it was special."

DiMarco had a tip that could be universal for all team participants.

"You have to know your team," said the two-time Ryder Cup participant. "If you have one or two really good players, they can help you. When the time comes you just have to do it. The PGA Golf Professional is key. When holes go by, you just have to move on. Birdies will come. Make sure you stick to your key plan. These guys have already accomplished a goal, making it here."

Johnson, who is headed to Atlanta to compete in the finals of the Fedex Cup, said that he never lets his competitive guard down, even among his family.

"I'm extremely competitive. If I play a board game with my wife, I want to beat her," said Johnson. "We may not speak to each other for a few days."

DiMarco said his competitive side also carries from the course.

"I beat my son in ping pong and I won't let him win," he said. "He needs to know that when you beat me, you beat me."

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is managed and operated by The PGA of America. PGA Golf Professionals and amateurs will compete for a combined purse of $200,000. Amateur players will receive reimbursement in the form of gift certificates.

The National Championship field will compete on Pinehurst Courses Nos. 2 and 6 for the remaining two rounds of the Championship.

The National Championship features the host PGA Golf Professional and three amateur partners who use two best net balls of each hole, with each amateur receiving 50 percent of their USGA index handicap.

About RSM McGladrey
RSM McGladrey is a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a U.S.-based partner-owned CPA firm) delivers audit and attest services. RSM McGladrey and McGladrey & Pullen operate in an alternative practice structure. Though separate and independent legal entities, they can work together to serve clients' business needs. Together, the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services (source: Public Accounting Report), with nearly 8,000 professionals and associates in more than 120 offices nationwide. RSM McGladrey Inc. and McGladrey & Pullen LLP are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM McGladrey is the official accounting, tax and business consulting firm of The PGA of America.

About The PGA of America
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.