North Florida PGA pros compete for section championship

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Eighty-seven North Florida PGA pros are in the field between Wednesday, Sept. 9, and Friday, Sept. 11, to compete in the 40th annual North Florida PGA Section Championship, the most elite PGA Section event of the year.

While it may not carry a worldwide audience like the Ryder Cup or PGA Championship, the championship is as big as it gets for the membership of the North Florida Section.

This is especially true when the tournament takes place at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Florida, named “Florida’s Highest Rated Golf Course” for the third consecutive year by Golfweek.

The pros are hoping to qualify for the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational in March at Bay Hill Country Club & Lodge. The North Florida PGA is the only section in the country where the Section Champion/Player of the Year earns a spot in the field.

Of the 87 total competitors, seven will also compete for the Women’s Section Championship title. Next week’s open division field will play 54 holes of individual stroke play on the fabled Gil Hanse design, a Par-73 Championship course. The Women’s Division will compete for 36 holes with their final round taking place Thursday, Sept. 10. 

Rod Perry, head golf pro at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club, enters as defending champion who claimed back-to-back victories in 2018 at Grand Cypress Resort and again in 2019 at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

Four years prior, Perry pulled off a historic three-peat, claiming the title in 2012-2014.

Also in the field is Donny Lee, director of instruction at Donny Lee Golf, who won in 2017, carding an astounding -11 at Reunion Golf Resort.

Also competing is David Hronek, teaching pro at GOLFTEC Sarasota, who won back-to-back championships in 2015 and 2016 with an impressive -12 both years.

For leaderboards and player stats, go to nflapga.bluegolf.com.