PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Amateur golfers nationwide may begin the path to a national championship berth by registering their teams online for Local Qualifying Events in the inaugural PGA McGladrey Team Championship. The online registration process was announced by The PGA of America, which is managing its first nationwide grass roots best-ball amateur championship.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, which marks its inaugural national finals Sept. 10-12, at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort, features three-person amateur teams in Local Qualifying Events that will be conducted from March through June. Those qualifiers advance to 41 Section Championships, conducted from July through August, and feature four-player teams including a PGA Professional. The 41 Section Champion teams will advance to the national finals at Pinehurst Resort.
Registering amateur golfers are asked to enter their three-person team online at www.PGA.com/teamchampionship. Amateurs may view on the Web site where Local Qualifying Events are schedule in their area. If an amateur’s home club does not offer an event, they are encouraged to contact their local PGA Professional.
The Web site provides such features as complete information on Local Qualifying Events and Section Championship and the National Championship site, Pinehurst Resort; news releases; handicap requirements for amateurs, how to find a participating facility and guidelines for PGA Professionals.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is managed and operated by The PGA of America. PGA Professionals will compete for a combined purse of $20,000 at the Section Championship level and $200,000 at the National Championship.
PGA Professionals will receive a portion of the registration fees for hosting Local Qualifying Events and also four MSR credits. 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 first steps for amateur golfers to experience the excitement of a national championship begins with Local Qualifying Events in their hometown," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "Now, amateurs everywhere may connect with their amateur partners and local PGA Professionals to ensure that they have an event to enjoy what promises to be one of the most memorable golf experiences of their lives."
The PGA McGladrey Team 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 excited to partner with The PGA, not only as the title sponsor of The PGA’s first amateur team championship in its 91-year history, but also as The PGA’s Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm," said Art Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of RSM McGladrey. "In developing this championship, we felt it was particularly important to include golfers of all levels. The opportunity to compete on a national stage is an exciting value proposition for any true lover of the game."
The Local Qualifying Event 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.
About RSM McGladrey
RSM McGladrey is a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. RSM McGladrey operates in an alternative practice structure with McGladrey & Pullen LLP, a partner-owned CPA firm that delivers audit and attest services. Through separate and independent legal entities, they work together to serve clients’ business needs.
Together, the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services (source: Public Accounting Report), with 8,000 professionals and associates in more than 120 offices.
RSM McGladrey Inc. and McGladrey & Pullen LLP are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM McGladrey is the official accounting, tax and business consulting firm of The PGA of America.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Contact:
Bob Denney
561/624-8582
bdenney@pgahq.com