Celebrating Crusaders | Team TaylorMade Club Pros Take On the 2021 PGA Professional Championship
If you've ever checked in at a golf shop, taken a lesson, or played in a scramble, you likely have a PGA Professional to thank. They're called Crusaders within the walls of TaylorMade because they're on the frontline helping golfers everywhere to find more joy in the game.
The light shined brightly on PGA Professionals over the last year. When much of the world was shutting down, golf courses remained open – as the game presented a unique opportunity to get outdoors and connect with people in a safe (socially distanced) manner. As rounds of golf soared and more people started playing more golf, someone had to be there to unlock the pro shop early in the morning. To ensure that the greens were mowed, the range was picked and the golf carts were sanitized. That someone was a PGA Pro. Now, for another reason altogether, the light once again shines brightly on these unheralded heroes of the game.
The PGA Professional Championship is club pro's Super Bowl, and this week they put their playing skills on full display. The field of 312 players will vie for 20 coveted spots in the PGA Championship. That's right, the top 20 finishers will have the chance at major championship glory next month at Kiawah Island against the best golfers in the world. On paper, it will be a David vs. Goliath matchup, but these PGA Pros live, breath and sleep golf. And for these next few weeks, it won't be about how well they operate a golf course, but how well they play it.
Let's get to know some of the TaylorMade Crusaders competing in the 53rd PGA Professional Champion in search of a spot in next month's major.
Head Professional,
Seminole Golf Club,
Juno Beach, Florida
Matt will take the reins at Seminole after the impending retirement of Bob Ford, a living legend among the PGA ranks. Seminole is an iconic venue and played host to TaylorMade Driving Relief in 2020, which raised more than $5 million for COVID relief efforts.
Assistant Professional,
Century Country Club,
Purchase, New York
A three-time winner of the PGA Assistant Professional Championship, Frank has long been recognized as one of the top players in the New York Metropolitan area. He competed in the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and hopes to get back there this year.
Assistant Professional,
Overbrook Golf Club,
Villanova, Pennsylvania
In 2016, Ashley was one of two women to compete in the PGA Professional Championship. This year, six women earned a spot in the field. Her strong play has helped motivate and inspire more women to tee it up along the men and compete for PGA glory.
Assistant Professional,
Johnathan's Landing,
North Palm Beach, Florida
Dakun was the winner of the 2018 Illinois PGA Championship and gained notoriety as a strong competitor in the Chicago area before taking his talents to North Palm Beach. He'll be vying for a spot in the field at Kiawah versus his fellow Team TaylorMaders and Palm Beach residents Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.
Assistant Professional,
Columbia Country Club,
Chevy Chase, Maryland,
Steve enjoyed a storied playing career as an amateur, twice competing in the U.S. Am (2009, 2012) and the U.S. Public Links Championship (2011 and 2014). He continued his stellar play becoming a PGA Pro, winning this Mid Atlantic Assistant PGA Championship three times (2016, 2019, 2020). He's a former assistant golf coach at the University of Maryland.
The 2021 Championship will be contested over the Tom Fazio-designed Wanamaker and Ryder Courses (April 25-28), with the Wanamaker serving as the stage for the final two rounds. The Wanamaker Course will play at par-72 and measure 7,088 yards for men and 6,022 yards for women. The par-71 Ryder Course will play to 6,860 yards for men; 5,733 yards for women. The Port St. Lucie-based club, a winter haven for many of the country's finest players, has been the site of 24 consecutive National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championships, 12 Senior PGA Professional Championships and the 2003 PGA Cup.
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