BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CHAMPION
LA QUINTA, California (September 12th, 2018) –Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club claims back-to-back Southern California PGA Professional Championship titles after posting a ten-under, three-day total of 206!
Winning by a single stroke, Block battled against a bevy of players all at the top of the leaderboard in the final round at La Quinta Country Club. As the 36-hole leader, it was a war of attrition for Michael heading down the stretch, ultimately making a steady push to the finish line. “I was struggling with this tournament for the last couple years,” Block said, “I broke second a lot and to finally break through I find it a little easier now.”
Block’s one-shot advantage in the final round was maintained by snagging two back-to-back birdies on holes seven and eight. Making the turn, Block notched three more birdies on 11, 13, and 16 coming down the stretch. Wedging into the 18thgreen for par, Block officially claimed his second SCPGA Professional Championship title.
Finishing in a two-way tie for second place was Rick Garboski of Golf Development Complex and Kenneth Pineo of Toscana Country Club, one stroke off the lead, with three-day totals of 207.
With his victory, Block earns an exemption into the PGA Tour’s CareerBuilder Challenge, takes home the SCPGA Player of the Year Honors and also claims the TrueTemper Player Series award. Block becomes the ninth player to win “Back-To-Back” SCPGA Professional Championship titles in the 93 years of this tournaments existence.
The Southern California PGA Professional Championship also served as a national qualifier into the PGA Professional Championship that will be hosted at Belfair in South Carolina in April 28- May 1, 2019. Congratulations to the 12 members that will be representing the Section:
*Michael Block – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Rick Garboski – Golf Development Complex, Kennith Pineo – Toscana Country Club, Kyle Kelly – Tamarisk Country Club, Geoffrey Dean – PGA West, Logan Scott – Oakmont Country Club, Paul Dietsche – Redlands Country Club, Jeff Hart – Life Member Active, Michael Meisenzahl – The Los Angeles Country Club, Vinnie Poncino – San Clemente Golf Course, Kenny Pigman – Goose Greek Golf Club, *Brian Smock – Coronado Golf Course.
*Exempt via top-20 finish in 2018 PGA Professional Championship.
Thank you to all of our partners for supporting the Championship and allowing the professional purse of $100,000 for the first time in this tournaments history. Special thanks to presenting partners, Omega & ClubCar.
Thank you to host professionals Chris Gilley, PGA Head Golf Professional of La Quinta Country Club, John Cummings, PGA General Manager & Justin Stelzer, PGA Head Professional of Golf at Rancho La Quinta Country Club.
LA QUINTA, California (September 11th, 2018) – Defending champion Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club holds the 36-hole lead at the 93rd Southern California PGA Professional Championship after posting a second round 67 at Rancho La Quinta Country Club, placing him at nine-under for the two days of competition.
“Moving-Day” in the Desert was full of opportunities across the leaderboard for the 160+ player field. The low 60 PGA Professionals and ties will join Block to battle it out on Wednesday at La Quinta Country Club for the final round of the Southern California PGA Professional Championship.
Capitalizing on his 7:30AM draw on the Rancho La Quinta Course, Block posted six-birdies and a lone bogey to once again find himself in the final group with fellow past champions Geoffrey Dean and Paul Dietsche.
Dean, who held the 18-hole tournament lead, inched himself in the right direction, shooting a one-under 71, on the difficult La Quinta Country Club to go along with his first round 65 at Rancho La Quinta Country Club. Now sitting just a single stroke from the lead at eight-under, Dean will aim to reclaim his title 15 years after his SCPGA Professional Championship title in 2003.
Dietsche, from Redlands Country Club finds himself at six-under and in solo-third place after posting steady back-to-back 69’s. Three-strokes off the lead, Dietsche will once again have an opportunity to hoist the Section Championship trophy, 16 years after his 2002 victory.
Second round highlights included Brett Glaser of Rancho Park Golf Course recording his sixth career Hole-In-One. Glaser hit an eight-iron to notch his second ACE in tournament play on the 142-yard, 12th hole at Rancho La Quinta Country Club. The final round will take place Wednesday, September 12th, at 7:30AM on the La Quinta Country Club, with the awards ceremony to be held upon the conclusion of play.
