September 14th-16th at the Indian Wells Golf Resort & Ironwood Country Club
Palm Desert, California – Kyle Mendoza of The Farms Golf Club capped off a dominant performance in the desert to win the Southern California PGA Professional Championship at Ironwood Country Club and Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Mendoza, who started the final round with a two-shot cushion, got off to an early start with an electric birdie on the par-4 first hole. He then further extended his lead when he added another birdie on the par-4 7th.
From then on Mendoza grinded his way to victory with a few tough par saves and bogeys on the 9th, 16th, and 18th. Mendoza two-putted the last hole to fire a final round one-over-par 72 and a seven-under-par total 207.
Several competitors lurked a few shots behind Mendoza throughout the round, however, no one was able to mount a comeback attempt. The fast and firm greens at Ironwood Country Club proved a challenging test for the field.
“Feels great, a lot of hard work goes into getting ready for a tournament like this, to be able to do that and share it with my family this week is awesome” commented Kyle Mendoza after his victory.
Brian Smock of Coronado Golf Course and Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club finished in a tie for second at five-under par, 209. Both Block and Smock had four bogeys each during the final round which ultimately proved costly in their attempts to catch Mendoza.
The following players have qualified for the 2021 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie: Kyle Mendoza, Brian Smock, Michael Block, Steve Saunders, Logan Scott, Mike Fergin, Alan Sorensen, Chris Boyle, Mark Geddes, Tim Parun, Shane Ponchot, Mike Mitchell, and Alison Curdt. Best of luck to these 13 professionals as they represent the Southern California PGA and vie for a chance to compete in the 2021 PGA Championship.
This Championship concluded the OMEGA Section Player of the Year point race where Michael Block finished on top. This is Block’s seventh time in the past eight years to be named SCPGA Player of the Year.
Special thanks to our rules officials, Chairman Ron O’Connor, PGA, Keith Reinking, Gary Albin, and Lee Wortman.
Finally, the Section sends a big thank you to both Ironwood Country Club and Indian Wells Golf Resort for hosting this year’s Section Championship. Thanks to PGA Professionals Joe Williams of Indian Wells Golf Resort and Michael Oberlander of Ironwood Country Club for their hospitality this week.
The 2021 Southern California PGA Professional Championship will visit The Farms Golf Club in
Rancho Santa Fe.
SCPGA Tournament Contact: Max DeSpain, Director of Competitions, (951) 845-4653, mdespain@pgahq.com
SCPGA Media Contact: Bryce Seiver, Marketing & Communications Manager, (951) 845-4653, bseiver@pgahq.com
