PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA McGladrey Team Championship will mark its second year with a later fall National Championship date – Oct. 20-22, 2008 – and return to the renowned Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, The PGA of America’s first nationwide grass roots best-ball amateur championship, will also feature format changes at the Local Qualifying Event level. The 2008 Championship will increase the maximum handicap index combination for teams along with the opportunity for host sites – with 18 teams or more – to send two teams to the Section Championship. Registration to host a Local Qualifying Event is being accepted at www.PGA.com/teamchampionship
Section Championships, hosted by The PGA of America’s network of 41 Sections, will once again team a PGA Professional with three amateur partners in the bid to earn a National Championship berth.
"The inaugural year in 2007 exceeded our expectations as one of the most successful debuts of any nationwide amateur golf tournament," said Art Smith, chief marketing officer of RSM McGladrey. "RSM McGladrey is proud to partner with The PGA of America because we share values of teamwork and professional development, whether in business or sports. As a result of this year’s success, we expect to double the number of participants in year two."
The 41-team, 164-player field in the National Championship will compete for a $200,000 purse and compete on three of Pinehurst’s premier layouts, opening at Course No. 8, and concluding the final two days on Courses No. 2 and No. 4.
"Last year we presented a unique championship that connected PGA Professionals with their amateur members and received excellent reviews from all those who participated," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "We are excited about next year’s Championship and look forward to having more amateur players enjoy the camaraderie of their local PGA Professional and receive the rare opportunity to compete in a National Championship."
At closer glance, the 2008 team handicap index changes are:
. Three-men maximum total handicap = 54.0
. Two men, one woman maximum total handicap = 70.0
. One man, two women maximum total handicap = 80.0
. Three women maximum total handicap = 90.0
Amateur players will continue to receive 50 percent of their course handicap allowance and Local Qualifying Events will again use the one best net ball of the three amateur players and each player’s score must be used on a minimum of three holes. The Local Qualifying Events that feature 18 or more teams will advance two teams to the Section Championship. If less than 18 teams compete at the Local Qualifying Event, one team will advance to the Section Championship.
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.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is a result of a 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).
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: Accounting Today), with 8,000 professionals and associates in nearly 100 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 and the preferred accounting, tax and business consulting firm of Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.
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, The PGA of America
561/624-8582, bdenney@pgahq.com
Betsy Weinberger, RSM McGladrey
980/233-4711, betsy.weinberger@rsmi.com
