Daniel Iceman, PGA and Chad Douglas, PGA

BOWLING GREEN, KY (August 29, 2023) – Following a second-place finish last week at the Kentucky PGA Professional Championship in Prospect, Daniel Iceman, PGA, bounced back today to claim the 16th National Car Rental Kentucky Assistant PGA Professional Championship at Indian Hills Country Club. Shooting 70-67-137, he beat Gabe Wheeler (68-69-137) in their first playoff hole.

Both Iceman and Wheeler strung together great rounds today, beating the rest of the competition by two. Iceman had a rocky start in the first 18, with three bogeys on the front nine, but he was able to even out the lost strokes with four birdies to shoot 1-under. Wheeler's first round featured an eagle on hole 4 and three birdies against just two bogeys. The two had steady second rounds, with eight birdies and two bogeys between the both of them. This win sees Iceman qualify for the 47th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship from November 16-19 at the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida. 

Joining Iceman in Florida is Chad Douglas, PGA. Douglas had a solid outing today, shooting 71-74 for a 3-over total. His stats on the day include five birdies, four bogeys and two doubles. Another playoff was needed to determine the first and second alternates for the national event after Nathan Hincks and Nick Heimann, PGA, shot matching totals of 6-over par. Hincks bested Heimann for the top alternate spot after an eagle on their first playoff hole, the par-5 16th. Jacob Schakat, PGA, took the third alternate spot. 

Indian Hills also hosted the Kentucky Women's PGA Professional Championship today. Claiming the title was Sara Stephens, PGA, after shooting 36-40-76 for a 5-over 76.


NOTES & STATS

• The par-4 12^th hole was the most difficult today, averaging .83 strokes over par with just 5 birdies. Hole number 1, a par 4, was the hardest on the women's side. 
• The par-five 13^th was the easiest on the assistants side, averaging 5.1, with the women making the par-3 8^th the easiest, averaging 2.67.  
• The front nine played much easier across both tournaments, averaging 38.61 for the assistants and 39 for the women. The assistants saw a significant difference on the back (40.01), with the women seeing a 3.34 shot difference (42.34)
• The average for the assistants tournament was 78.62 and 81.34 for the women.

Click here to view the Assistant Champ final results
Click here to view the Women's Champ final results

The KPGA would like to extend a huge thank you to host course Indian Hills Country Club, Head Golf Professional John Mullendore, PGA, Director of Agronomy Bob McLean, and their teams for helping to put on such fantastic events. Additionally, the Kentucky PGA would like to thank all participants and spectators. 

The KPGA returns to Bowling Green next week for the annual Coomer Cup that sees the top 12 Kentucky Golf Association members compete against the top 12 Kentucky PGA Professionals in matchplay. This year's tournament is hosted by The Club at Olde Stone. 

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