The Scottish expression, "If there's nae wind, it's nae golf," is perhaps more a theme for this year's PGA Club Professional Championship.
The 38th CPC, the showcase event for PGA Professionals, makes its first visit to South Carolina, June 23-26, at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort. Perhaps no other golf course outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland is as affected as much by the wind.
From one round to the next, players can experience as much as an eight-club difference on holes, depending upon the direction and strength of the wind. This will make club selection as much of a key as a strong putting performance during the CPC.
"I'm a low-ball hitter, so I hope that I can be able to deal with the wind, and keep my ball in play and in the right position," said defending Champion Bob Sowards, PGA director of golf at The Golf Centre of Dublin (Ohio). "I do plan [to play] as many practices rounds as I can get. It will take [some] getting used to, not only for me, but everyone."
The par-72 Ocean Course, a Pete Dye design, earned worldwide attention in 1991 for hosting a thrilling Ryder Cup. This year, the 156-player field will be tested at 7,335 yards for men, and 6,299 for lone woman entrant Suzy Whaley of Farmington, Conn., who makes her second appearance and first since a historic debut in 2002.
The 38th PGA Club Professional Championship, televised live by The Golf Channel to a potential audience of some 80 million, is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Buick; Club Car; and Amstel Light and Buckler. The Greg Norman Collection is the Official Golf Apparel of the CPC. The Golf Channel is an exclusive media partner, and the PGA Tour is a contributing partner.
The Championship began in 1968 and is limited to PGA members employed as golf Professionals. Past Champions include legendary Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg and Bruce Fleisher. The top 25 finishers earn a berth in the 87th PGA Championship, Aug. 11-14, 2005, at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
The low eight finishers will join Sowards and 2003 Champion Tim Thelen of Richmond, Texas, on the 2005 United States PGA Cup Team. The U.S. Team will face Great Britain & Ireland in the 22nd PGA Cup, Sept. 23-25, 2005, at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland.
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.
For complete coverage of the 38th PGA Club Professional Championship, go to www.pga.com.
