Three Pennsylvanians, including two who live less than an hour away from the host course, will be part of a 35-member PGA Professional delegation competing in the 66th Senior PGA Championship, May 26-29, at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa.
John Aubrey of Butler, Pa., which is some 30 minutes from Laurel Valley, will be joined by Bob Ford of Oakmont, Pa. - a 45-minute commute - and by Gary Hardin, who has the longest trip of the three, traveling 250 miles from Bethlehem, Pa.
They will all compete with the strongest field in senior golf, after earning berths in the Senior PGA Championship during last October's Callaway Golf PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.
Ford, a PGA Master Professional and the 1987 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, finished runner-up in the fall national championship. The 51-year-old splits up his year serving as head professional at two of America's high-profile clubs: Oakmont Country Club during the spring and summer; and Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla., during the winter.
Ford is a seven-time Tri-State PGA Champion, having won the 2004 Tri-State PGA Player of the Year and the Section Senior Championship. He is making his second Senior PGA Championship appearance, having tied for 47th last year. Ford tied for 46th in the 2004 U.S. Senior British Open.
Aubrey, 53, tied for 15th in the Callaway Golf PGA Senior CPC and shared 46th place in the 2004 U.S. Senior Open. The head professional at Aubrey's Dubbs Dred Golf Club in Butler, Aubrey is making his second appearance in the Senior PGA Championship. He is a four-time Tri-State PGA Senior Player of the Year.
"This is a very tough Section in all competitions," said Aubrey. "I'm very happy to be playing almost in my backyard. I've not played much, but I will be practicing. It will be fun. But, it also can be hard playing in front of your hometown fans. You just go out and try to do as well as you can."
Hardin, 52, is head professional at Northampton Country Club in Easton, Pa., and will make his debut in the Senior PGA Championship. He tied for 26th in the 2004 Callaway Golf PGA Senior CPC. Known as a popular teaching professional, Hardin has competed in 23 career PGA Tour events. His best finish was a tie for 49th in the 1981 Magnolia Classic.
The Senior PGA Championship was begun in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club, at the invitation of legendary Bobby Jones, and has since featured the game's legendary stars that have reached the age of 50.
Tickets to the 66th Senior PGA Championship are available by calling (800) PGA-GOLF (742-4653), or by visiting www.seniorPGA2005.com.
The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
