Jason Ballard, PGA, Head Professional at Oak Hill CC
R1 Tee Time – 1:45 PM (West Course)
R2 Tee Time – 8:45 AM (East Course)
Dwayne Randall, PGA Head Professional at Bartlett CC
R1 Tee Time – 2:00 PM (East Course)
R2 Tee Time – 8:30 AM (West Course)
Chris Zumpano, PGA Assistant Professional at Oak Hill CC
R1 Tee Time – 9:15 AM (East Course)
R2 Tee Time – 2:15 PM (West Course)
Belfair of Bluffton, South Carolina, one of the Southeast’s acclaimed golf destinations, will host the 2019 PGA Professional Championship, the world’s largest all-professional event. The 52nd edition of the PGA Professional Championship will be conducted for the first time in the spring, April 28-May 1, 2019. The Championship is presented by Club Car and OMEGA. It will be the 10th visit by the Championship to the Carolinas PGA Section and third appearance in the state of South Carolina. Joining the field of club pros will be Western NY PGA’s own Jason Ballard (Oak Hill CC), Dwayne Randall (Bartlett CC) and Chris Zumpano (Oak Hill CC). These three gentlemen played their way into this event in the 2019 WNYPGA Professional Championship held last August at Peek N Peak Resort.
What’s on the line?
The 2019 PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car and OMEGA, features a $550,000 purse.
The 2019 Champion will have his name inscribed on the base of the Walter Hagen Cup and receives exemptions for the following:
- 2019 PGA Championship
- 2019 PGA Cup
- Six PGA Tour events over a 12-month
period
The low 20 scorers in the Championship earn a berth in the 2019 PGA Championship, May 16-19, at Bethpage Black in New York.
36 Hole and 54 Hole Cuts
The 52nd PGA Professional Championship features a field of 312 players who have advanced from the 41 PGA Section Championships, along with eligible past Champions. The final 36 holes, conducted on one course, features the low 90 scorers and ties after 36 holes; followed by a 54-hole cut to the 70 scorers and ties prior to the final round. The Championship will distribute a total purse of more than $1.7 million, which will be awarded in both the Section and PGA Professional Championships.
Let’s take a look at the three PGA Professionals that will represent the WNYPGA Section.
Jason Ballard, PGA
Employment: Head PGA Professional at Oak Hill CC
PGA Membership: Member since 2004
WNYPGA: Section Member since 2014
2018 Playing Highlight: 3rd Place in the WNYPGA Professional Championship
Jason played a steady two days of golf in the 2018 WNYPGA Professional Championship to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship. The 36-hole qualifier was held at Peek N Peak resort with Jason going 73-74 for a two day total of 147 to take the third qualifying spot.
Dwayne Randall, PGA
Employment: Head PGA Professional at Bartlett CC
PGA Membership: Member since 1998
WNYPGA: Section Member since 2008
2018 Playing Highlight: WNYPGA OMEGA Player of the Year
In thrilling fashion Dwayne Randall eagled his 36th and final hole of the WNYPGA Professional Championship held at Peek N Peak last August. The dramatic finish propelled Randall into the 2nd qualifying spot in into the PGA Professional Championship.
Chris Zumpano, PGA
Employment: Assistant PGA Professional at Oak Hill CC
PGA Membership: Member since 2015
WNYPGA: Section Member since 2014
2018 Playing Highlight: Western New York Open Champion
Chris Zumpano had a steady week in the 2018 WNYPGA Professional Championship with a two day total of 74-74-148, on the PGA Tour caliber course at Peek N Peak. This was good enough to get Chris into a playoff where we edged out Steve Barber of Locust Hill CC to take the third and final spot into the PGA Professional Championship.