The 20th Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf, staged for the first time in California at Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif., and Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta, Calif., begins today. Defending Champion Bill Loeffler is among 263 other PGA Professionals in the field.

Defending Champion Bill Loeffler, a Colorado native, will join 263 other PGA Section qualifiers and defending champions beginning Thursday for the 20th edition of the Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf, staged for the first time in California at Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif., and Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta, Calif.

Loeffler, owner and operator of the Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Golf Club, won the 1992 Assistant Championship at PGA West in La Qunita, Calif., located just five miles from Andalusia Country Club, one of the two Championship courses that will play host to the 2008 Senior PGA Professional National Championship.

Even though he is coming off a victory in the 2007 Senior PGA Professional National Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., he is excited to play at a venue that is closer to home and where he has had success.

"Being from the west, it is a much shorter trip for me, which is good," said Loeffler, who will be competing in his third Senior PGA Professional National Championship. "My game is probably better suited for these courses and I know the type of grass on the greens well and the wind does not affect the ball as much as in Florida."

Loeffler will trust his solid tee-to-green style to and attempt to capture his second consecutive title.

"My game is not suited for a birdie barrage," said Loeffler, who finished in 83rd at the 69th Senior PGA Championship in May at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. "I par a lot of holes and I usually know where to hit it and how to stay out of trouble.

Both Toscana Country Club and Andalusia Country Club will provide a stern test to each competitor in the field this week.

The South Course at Toscana Country Club, which will play host all four rounds of play, is Jack Nicklaus' first golf course in the California desert in more than 15 years. The Signature course plays to more than 7,000 yards and is designed to offer a variety of challenges.

The private East Course at Andalusia Country Club is the first Coachella Valley golf course design for Rees Jones. Rising from the desert floor and tilted to maximize views of Coral Mountain, the 7,450 yard course will offer beauty, challenge and an exciting golf experience.

Eight other past champions will join Loeffler in California, including: Jeff Coston (2006) of Blaine, Wash., 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., Jeff Thomsen (2003) of Boise, Idaho and James White (2004) of Lincoln, Neb.

The field consists of the top PGA Professionals who are at least 50 years of age. The field will be cut to the low 70 scorers and ties following the completion of the second round.

The winner of the Senior PGA National Professional Championship presented by Callaway Golf 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 2009 Senior PGA Championship at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive exemptions into the 2009 Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf. In addition, the top 5 finishers will be exempt into the Champions Tour National Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they have entered by the entry deadline.