PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The inaugural PGA McGladrey Team Championship, The PGA of America’s first nationwide grass roots best-ball amateur championship, will mark its debut Sept. 10-12, 2007, at world-renowned Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, managed and operated by The PGA of America, features a series of local and 41 PGA Section Championships and a National Championship field of 41 four-person teams. PGA Professionals will compete for a guaranteed purse of $20,000 at the Section Championship level and $200,000 at the National Championship. Competition is open to golfers of all ages and playing abilities.
The National Championship field will compete on three of Pinehurst’s premier layouts, opening at Pinehurst No. 8, which has hosted the 1997 and 1998 PGA Professional National Championship. The field concludes by playing the final two rounds on Pinehurst No. 6 and Pinehurst No. 2, which has been the site of some of golf’s historic championships, including the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup and the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open.
"The PGA of America is excited that the PGA McGladrey Team Championship will make its debut at Pinehurst Resort, one of the world’s most popular golf destinations and the home of some of the game’s most historic moments," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "With the teamwork of the staff at Pinehurst, we believe that PGA Professionals and amateur golfers nationwide will find this championship will rank as perhaps their best golf experience."
The Championship is a result of the new partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting firm of The PGA of America. RSM McGladrey is the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the country when considered with McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm).
"We are very pleased that Pinehurst will serve as the venue for the championship’s pinnacle event," says Art Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of RSM McGladrey. "We believe this set of premier courses reflects the quality services we provide our clients, and celebrates the spirit of our team competition on a world class stage."
The Local Championship will use the best one "net" ball of the three amateur players. Each amateur receives 50 percent of their handicap allowance from the course and tees being played. Each player’s score must be used on a minimum of three holes.
The Section Championships and National Championship will feature the host PGA Professional who will complete each winning team’s foursome, and use two best "net" balls of each hole, again with each amateur receiving 50 percent of their USGA index handicap.
"Pinehurst has been known for its exciting championships, and we look forward to welcoming a strong field to three stellar courses," said Pinehurst President Donald Padgett. "We feel extremely honored to team with The PGA of America yet again in this new venture."
Nestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort was founded in 1895 and since 1898 has been the site of more single championships than any other golf course in the country.
Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1996, Pinehurst No. 8 is a par-72 layout that plays to 7,092 yards from its gold tees and at 450 acres is the largest of the resort’s courses. George and Tom Fazio combined to design the par-71 Pinehurst No. 6, which opened for play in 1979, and now plays to 7,008 from its gold tees, following a 2005 Fazio renovation.
Pinehurst No. 2, the signature layout at the resort, was designed by legendary architect Donald Ross and opened in 1907. The course is a par-72 layout that measures 7,305 yards from its gold tees.
About RSM McGladrey
RSM McGladrey is a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. RSM McGladrey and McGladrey & Pullen (a partner-owned CPA firm) have an alternative practice structure. Though separate and independent legal entities they work together to serve clients’
business needs. When considered together, the companies rank as the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm (Source: Public Accounting Report) with nearly 8,000 professionals and associates in more than 120 offices nationwide. RSM McGladrey Inc. and McGladrey & Pullen LLP are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM McGladrey is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB).
About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
Arik Hanson
612629-9087
arik.hanson@rsmi.com