PNW PGA Professional Championship (PPC)/2007

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Brian Thornton Presides Over 2007 PNW PGA Professional Championship

By Brandon Lorain

The final round of the 2007 Pacific Northwest Section PGA Professional Championship began as a cloudless blue sky engulfed the Prospector Course at Suncadia Resort in Roslyn, Washington. But the afternoon saw brilliant, puffy clouds roll over the golf course as the play below them was tumultuous as an Arizona monsoon. When the dust had settled, and the last group left the eighteenth green, Brian Thornton from Meridian Valley CC had come from behind to win the tournament. With three rounds of 68, 73, and 70, Thornton’s 211 total bested Ryan Malby of Village Greens GC, the defending champion, and Ryan Benzel of Seattle GC by three shots. Another stroke back at 215 was Scott Rath from Tualatin CC, and Mike Gove from Inglewood GC.

Beginning the day, Thornton was tied with Jeff Bender, from Black Rock Creek GC, two strokes behind Benzel, and trailing Rath by three. To win this championship, he would also have to battle a slew of former champions, ten of whom were within ten shots of the top of the leaderboard; Mike Gove (1992), Fred Haney from The Reserve Vineyards (1979), Ryan Malby (2006), Rob Gibbons of Arrowhead GC (1989), Mark Gardner from The Creek at Qualchan GC (1988), Scott Krieger of Broadmoor GC (1998), Tom Sovay of Trilogy GC (2004), Pat Fitzsimons from The Reserve Vineyards (1985, 1983, 1976), Scott Williams of Glendale CC (1990), and Tom Carey from Meriwether National (1993).

At the leader board, as scores came in, it was clear that any under-par score would vault any player much higher in the standings, and when Thornton’s 70 was posted, it allowed him to claim victory. In addition to being named the Section Professional Champion and the $6000 first place check, Thornton and six others advanced to the PGA Professional National Championship at the world famous Reynolds Plantation in Georgia next June. Joining Thornton in Georgia next year for the PGA Professional National Championship will be Malby, Benzel, Gove, Rath, Gardner, and Scott Leritz of Indian Summer G&CC.

Should any player not be able to attend, Jeff Bender will serve as the first alternate and Tom Sovay will act as second alternate.

The top twenty players from the National Championship will gain entry into the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills CC in Bloomfield, Michigan.

The final day really tested the players’ mettle, but also saw two players shoot 67, the low score for the tournament. Jason Lehtola from Hamilton GC posted 67 first to jump into a tie for 19th place. An hour later, Bob Rannow from Sandpines GL climbed the scoreboard into a tie for 13th place with a 67.

The level of play and mental challenge that the Prospector Course at Suncadia required was outstanding. Head Professional Brady Hatfield and his staff were extremely accommodating and helpful in staging this championship, and the section looks forward to returning for future events. The course was in terrific shape thanks to Superintendent Matt Atterberry and his team.

On hand through the week were our presenting sponsors from Club Car, Titleist, and Foot Joy. Thank you to Erwin Huffer from Club Car, Jim Roberts and Mike Swingle from Titleist and Cobra, and Speedy Nash from Foot Joy. Along with Buick, these companies sponsor this tournament in each section and do a phenomenal job for all our professionals.

Congratulations again to the exceptional players who will be representing the PNW Section at The Reynolds Plantation in Georgia next year for the PGA Professional National Championship.