2023 Southern California PGA Professional Championship

September 18-20, 2023 at Sherwood Country Club

THOUSAND OAKS, CA (September 20, 2023) — Congratulations to Michael Block, PGA, of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, on capturing the 99^th installment of the 2023 Southern California PGA Professional Championship at Sherwood Country Club.

Entering the day, Block stood two shots behind the leader but was able to make it all square through 16 holes. In dramatic fashion, Block birdied holes 17 and 18 to win his fourth SCPGA Section Championship and his second in consecutive years with an 11-under-par 205 total. He ended his day tying the tournament low round with a 6-under-par 66.

“Thank you to Sherwood Country Club and Jeff Fowler for putting this event on and getting us out here,” said Block. “I rolled in a couple of putts down that final stretch, and the tide turned pretty quickly. I was lucky enough to come away with the trophy, and I’m grateful for all the support and comradery we have here in the Section.”

With the win today, Block has locked up the Southern California PGA Player of the Year honors, marking his 10^th Player of the Year honors in the last 11 years.

Finishing in second place was Steve Saunders, PGA, of Temecula Creek Golf Club, with a 7-under-par 209 total.

The victory for Block earns him an exemption into the PGA Tour’s The American Express and earns a custom Club Car for a year. Block now becomes one of four players in the storied history of the event to claim the title four times or more.

The Southern California PGA Professional Championship also served as a national qualifier into the PGA Professional Championship that will be hosted on April 28-May 1, at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco East & West Courses in Frisco, Texas. Congratulations to the 14 SCPGA Section Members who will be representing the Section:

*Michael Block – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club

Steve Saunders – Temecula Creek Golf Club

Lyon Lazare – Monarch Beach Golf Links

Mark Geddes – Coronado Golf Course

Kyle Mendoza – Hacienda Golf Club

Brian Smock – Coronado Golf Course

Brice Busse – Hillcrest Country Club

Bruce Nakamura – Aviara Golf Academy

**Kenny Pigman – Shandin Hills Golf Course

Logan Scott – Oakmont Country Club

Simon Allan – The Plantation Golf Club

Mike Mendoza – South Hills Country Club

Thomas Chu – San Diego Country Club

** Steve Holmes – Rustic Canyon Golf Course

*Exempt via Past Champion status at PGA Professional Championship

** Exempt via top-20 finish in 2023 PGA Professional Championship

Thank you to all of our partners for supporting the Championship and allowing the professional purse to surpass $115,000. A big thank you to presenting partners, Club Car, Rolex, and Corebridge Financial for their continued support of the PGA of America.

Thank you to host professional Jeff Fowler, PGA, Director of Golf, the Golf Course Superintendent Neil Edwards, and the entire staff and membership at Sherwood Country Club for their gracious hospitality.

A special thank you to the SCPGA rules committee members who volunteered their time and rules expertise at this year’s Championship – Gary Albin, Lee Wortman, and Steve Asaki.

LEADERBOARD

PHOTO GALLERY

MEDIA RELEASE

ROUND TWO RECAP — The second round of the 2023 Southern California PGA Professional Championship has concluded at Sherwood Country Club, with Steve Saunders, PGA, of Temecula Creek Golf Club, emerging as the clubhouse leader with a 6-under-par day for a 7-under-par 137 total in the 99^th holding of the championship.

Play was suspended due to darkness in the second round, with the remaining groups scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m.

Saunders posted a tournament-low 6-under on the day with a clean card of six birdies and no bogeys. He takes a one-shot lead going into Wednesday’s final round over Brian Smock (-6), PGA, of Coronado Golf Course, and a two-shot lead over defending champion Michael Block (-5), PGA, of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

This year’s Championship saw 186 PGA Professionals participate in the event, the largest field in the Championship’s history, with the hopes of etching their name into the storied history of the Southern California PGA.

Concluding today’s round, the low 60 players plus ties will make the cut into Wednesday’s final round. This Championship serves as the national qualifier for the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, where the low 11 finishers will represent the Section in Frisco, Texas. The Champion will also receive a spot in the 2023 PGA TOUR’s The American Express and a customized Club Car golf car for a year.

Past champions in this year’s field include Michael Block (2022, 2018, 2017), Kyle Mendoza (2021, 2020), Kenny Pigman (2016), Ryan Kennedy (2014), Alan Scheer (2013), Ross Marcano (2006), Scott Miller (2005), Geoff Dean (2003), Paul Dietsche (2002), and Paul Wise (1983, 1984).

LEADERBOARD

PHOTO GALLERY

ROUND ONE RECAP — The first round of the 2023 Southern California PGA Professional Championship is complete at Sherwood Country Club, with Brian Smock, PGA, of Coronado Golf Course, entering the clubhouse with a solo lead at 4-under-par 68 in the 99^th holding of the championship.

Play was suspended due to darkness in the first round, with the remaining groups scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m.

Special congratulations to Scott McCue of The Farms Golf Club, who aced hole #8.

Concluding Tuesday’s second round, the low 60 players plus ties will make the cut into the final round. This Championship serves as the national qualifier for the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, where the low 11 finishers will represent the Section in Frisco, Texas. The Champion will also receive a spot in the 2023 PGA TOUR’s The American Express and a customized Club Car golf car for a year.

2023 Southern California PGA Professional Championship