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Watts, Frederick, Bender, and Edlin Walk Away with Pro-Senior Championship

Blake Watts Leads Teammates to Pro-Senior Victory
 

Louisville, KY (May 15, 2023) – Blake Watts found his way back to success in Kentucky PGA competition. In one of the biggest KPGA Section events in recent history with 204 players, Watts got the victory this past Monday at Big Spring Country Club in the KPGA Pro-Senior.

Watts and his teammates Joe Frederick, Bob Bender, and Gary Edlin won by a slim margin of one shot over 3 other teams. This competition contained teams of four people with one being a KPGA Member/Associate while the other three players were amateurs aged 50 or older. On each hole, one gross score (counted first) and one net score (with 80% of the amateurs’ handicap indexes factored in) were counted to determine results. Watt’s team got off to a slow start on the front nine but then used a back nine charge to fire an impressive 131 (-13).

John Bachman, Logan Watts, and Jeremy Martin tied for the low professional honors for the day shooting 70 (-2). Bachman and Watts each used at least four birdies to claim their first individual low pro-honors of the season. Martin continues his impressive play on the season by making six birdies in route to getting his second low professional honors of the season.

Ralph Landrum kicked off his 2023 season by grabbing an impressive victory for the senior division shooting 70 (-2). Landrum played spectacular golf and was able to beat the next closest competitor Greg Basham by 3 shots. 

NOTES & STATS

Ryan McGinnis had the shot of the day when his 130-yard shot on hole 12 ended up in the cup. This led to the only eagle on the hole for the day. McGinnis also almost made an ace on hole 6 where he captured the closest to the hole prize with a shot that landed just 11 inches from the cup.

The par-four 11th ranked the most difficult hole of the day with a rate of +.85. Only 55 of 204 players made par or better.

The par-five 16th was the easiest at a rate of +018. Two thirds of the field made par or better.

The average score was 80.93 with the back nine playing slightly harder than the front side. Holes 10-18 averaged 40.6 with 1-9 averaging 40.33.

Click here to view the final results

The Kentucky PGA extends its thanks to Gary Bebelaar, PGA and his staff at Big Spring Country Club for their hospitality and hosting of the tournament. Additionally, the Section sends its appreciation towards each player who participated in today’s event.

Next up on the Section’s schedule will be the fan favorite Callaway Pro-Assistant and Pro-Pro Championship Presented by Levelwear Supported by HMG Accessory Solutions. which will take place at Audubon Country Club on Monday, May 22.

About the Kentucky PGA:
The Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA) is one of forty-one Sections across the country representing the PGA of America and its Members. It is also one of three organizations encompassed within Golf House Kentucky, which also includes the Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) and Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF). The KPGA contains more than 275 Members and more than 30 Associates working in various roles across Kentucky; all of whom share the goal of bettering the game and its players. The KPGA and its Members assist with the organization of many chief growth-of-the-game initiatives including PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League among others. The Section also operates more than thirty tournaments throughout the golf season, including the Kentucky Open and qualifiers for the Barbasol Championship.

About Golf House Kentucky

Golf House Kentucky is the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations: Kentucky Golf Association, Kentucky PGA and Kentucky Golf Foundation. The vision of Kentucky’s golf leaders, Golf House Kentucky was founded in 1978, and is headquartered in a picturesque country setting in Louisville, Kentucky. Golf House Kentucky conducts competitions for golfers of all ages, gender and skill levels (amateur, professional and junior), and provides valuable services to Kentucky PGA professionals and member golf facilities. Working in partnership with the USGA, Golf House Kentucky provides individual golfers and member golf facilities with a wide range of services: Handicapping, USGA Course and Slope Rating, award programs, club consulting and golf management software. The family’s philanthropic affiliate, Kentucky Golf Foundation promotes the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame, Kentucky golf museum and provides grant and scholarship programs for youth in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Contact Us

1116 Elmore Just Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40245
(502) 243-8295
kentucky@kygolf.org