PROSPECT, KY (August 22, 2023) – After a solid start yesterday that left him three back of the lead coming into the final round, Tom Walters, PGA, triumphed today at Hunting Creek Country Club. His round of 5-under 67, one of only two rounds in the 60s today, positioned him to win by a 3-shot margin.

Walters had a great first round, firing three birdies with just one bogey on the day. Though he lost strokes on two holes today rather than one, his impressive seven birdies quickly absorbed those bogeys. He both started and ended with a birdie, mixing the rest in between the front and back nines. He shot 34 on the front and 33 on the back for his 67 total. This is his first Kentucky PGA Professional title.

Daniel Iceman, PGA had another solid day to tie for second with 2022 champion Jesse Massie, PGA. Iceman shot 1-over with a mix of birdies, bogeys and one double bogey. His nines were steady, shooting 36 on the front and 37 on the back. Massie fired a 1-under 71 after opening with a bogey on the first hole. He posted pars until the back nine, where he added three birdies and a bogey to his card. Walters, Iceman and Massie will all make the trip to the Lone Star State in the spring to compete in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship at Fields Ranch in Frisco, Texas.

These three are the only players in the field to post under-par totals for the event. 1st alternate for the national tournament John Mullendore, PGA, saw a six-shot improvement today with a final round 69 that included five birdies. Mitchell Moore, PGA and Keith Ohr, PGA, join in under-par rounds, both shooting 71.


NOTES & STATS

• Though it played easier today, the par-four 9^th still proved the most difficult, averaging .45 strokes over par compared to .68 yesterday. All 3 birdies on the hole came today.
• The par-five 11^th remained the easiest hole, averaging a 4.75 total with 30 birdies and three eagles.
• The front nine again played slightly harder with an average score of 38.89 compared to the back nine’s 38.37 total. Both nines played easier on day 2.
• The average for the tournament was 77.26 - 77.75 on day 1 and 76.75 on day 2.

Click here to view the final results
Click here to view the day two photo gallery

The KPGA would like to extend a huge thank you to host course Hunting Creek Country Club, Director of Golf Ryan Sanders, PGA, Course Superintendent Jason Abner and their teams for helping to put on such a fantastic event. Additionally, the Kentucky PGA would like to thank all participants and spectators. 

The KPGA returns next week, August 29th, to Indian Hills Country Club for the National Car Rental Kentucky Assistant PGA Professional Championship and the Kentucky Women's PGA Professional Championship.

Media Contact
Abby Ligons | Golf House Kentucky | aligons@kygolf.org