Vacaville, CA, August 5, 2010-The Northern California Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America (NCPGA) today announced that returning qualifier Mitch Lowe, PGA Teaching Professional at Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, Calif. and Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco and Jason Schmuhl, Northern California PGA Head Professional of Windsor Golf Club in Windsor, Calif. earned automatic berths to compete at the 92nd PGA Championship to be held on August 9-15, 2010 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Lowe and Schmuhl were among six Northern California Section PGA Professionals competing in the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship. The two men join 18 other PGA Professionals across the nation to successfully earn a qualifying spot at the 2010 PGA Championship. Lowe tied for 6th place (74-69-68-75-286) and Schmuhl tied for 15th place (72-71-77-69-289) in a field of 312 at the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship, which was held June 27-30 at French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana.
“Once again we have two NCPGA members earning a place at this prestigious tournament. We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to cheering on Mitch and Jason,” said Chris Thomas, Executive Director and COO, NCPGA. “Their achievements demonstrate how PGA teaching professionals are also strong players of the game. Golfers interested in improving their game have the benefit of seeking the expertise of these PGA teaching professionals.”
Mitch Lowe – Del Rio Country Club, Modesto & Harding Park GC, San Francisco
Lowe is keeping an open mind as he looks to the PGA Championship. “I will have to wait until I get a couple of practice rounds in to see how comfortable I am on the course. I would love to make the cut and play on the weekend.”
Lowe says he has worked much harder on his long game over the past year, mostly using long irons. “I have gotten much better with those shots. That was one area last year where I noticed the Tour players were so much better than me,” he said.
To Lowe, Whistling Straits represents another opportunity to challenge himself. Lowe thrives on the competitive nature of golf – not just in tournaments or with his friends, but also with himself. Whistling Straits is a course he has only seen in pictures. “It looks challenging,” he said. “I can’t wait to play it.”
Lowe, 43, turned Professional in 1990 and became a PGA Member in 1999. He tied for 16th place at last year’s PGA Professional National Championship and competed in the 2009 PGA Championship. He was awarded the NCPGA Player of the Year award in 2000 and 2005 and 2009. Lowe played in several PGA Tour events including the AT&T in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2010 and the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2001, 2002 and 2010. In 2001-2002 he played on the Gateway and Tightlies Tours in Arizona, Texas and Mississippi. Between 1990 and 1995 he played on various Tours including: Golden State, California Golf and Hooters. He was also a member of the Canadian PGA Tour in 1991 and a member of the Nike Tour in 1992.
With a father and grandfather who were both strong players, golf was a family activity in the Lowe home growing up. Mitch played in his first tournament when he was nine. A graduate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., with a degree in Business Administration, Lowe’s career goals are to become a top 100 teacher in the world and to continue to find techniques that help people play better and more enjoyable golf. He started his PGA career at Lockeford Springs GC in Lodi, Calif., followed by Jack Tone GC in Ripon, Calif.
Jason Schmuhl – Windsor Golf Club, Windsor
For Jason Schmuhl, qualifying for the PGA Championship “was like a dream come true. I have always wanted to play in a major, now I am going to get the chance.”
Schmuhl’s strength is hitting the ball long, however he will be the first to admit that he doesn’t always hit the ball straight. He started playing golf at the age of eight with his father and older brother. “My father has been my role model. He started me playing golf and he raised me,” said Schmuhl.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Sebastopol, Calif., Schmuhl, 38, turned Professional in 1996 and became a PGA Member in 2002. He was awarded the 2008 NCPGA Player of the Year award after winning the 2008 Northern California PGA Professional Championship. He was also runner-up in the 2007 Match Play Championship. Schmuhl guided teams to second (2007) and third (2008) places in The McGladrey Team Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.
Even though he also participated in basketball, football and baseball when he was younger, Schmuhl believes golf is the greatest sport for many reasons. “It is just you against the course and every day is different. Plus you can play and compete with greater longevity than other sports. You are always at a beautiful place and there are no referees! But what I think I enjoy most about golf are the friendships and relationships I have made on the golf course.”
Schmuhl graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In addition to Windsor Golf Club, Schmuhl has worked at Santa Rosa Country Club and Bodega Harbor Golf Links, both in Northern California.
For more information about the NCPGA, please visit www.ncpga.com, email ncal@pgahq.com or call (707) 449-4742.
Contact:
Nancy Maul, Northern California PGA
(707) 449-4742
E-mail: nmaul@pgahq.com
