Block Wins PGA Professional National Championship


Michael Block of Aliso Viejo, Calif., sank a three-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Wednesday to defeat Jamie Broce of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, and capture the 47th PGA Professional National Championship at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Block, the PGA head professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif., parred the 72nd hole for an even-par 72 to force a playoff with Broce at 2-under 286. Broce, 37, the men's golf coach at the University of Toledo, missed a four-foot par putt on the 18th hole for the outright title to finish with a 75.

Block, 38, became the ninth player to win the championship in his first attempt.

The players matched pars on the first extra hole, then moved to the 382-yard, par-4 10th. Broce hit his approach 25 feet from the cup and two-putted for par before Block sank his winning putt.
Block becomes the second player in Southern California PGA history to win the championship, following Jeff Freeman in 1999.

With the victory Block qualified for the 96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, August 7-10, in Louisville, Ky. He will be joined by these other qualifiers:

Jamie Broce of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, the University of Toledo
Rob Corcoran of Melbourne, Florida, Poxabogue Golf Center in Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Stuart Deane of Arlington, Texas, Rolling Hills Country Club in Arlington, Texas
Frank Esposito Jr. of Monroe Township, N.J., Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, N.J.
Ryan Helminen of Menasha, Wisc., Ridgeway Country Club in Neenan, Wisc.
David Hronek of North Port, Fla., Countryside Country Club in Clearwater
Johan Kok of Brentwoood, Tenn., Temple Hills Country Club in Brentwood
Aaron Krueger of Norwalk, Iowa, Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa
Jim McGovern of Oradell, N.J., White Beeches Golf & Country Club in Haworth, N.J.
David McNabb of Newark, Del., Applebrook Golf Club Malvern, Pa.
Brian Norman of The Colony, Texas, The Lakes at Castle Hills in Lewisville, Texas
Rod Perry of Port Orange, Fla., Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange
Matt Pesta of Wixom, Mich., Lincoln Hills Golf Course in Birmingham
Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah, Schneiter's Pebble Brook in Sandy
Jerry Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz., Backtee Sports Inc. in Garden Grove, Calif.
Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, New Albany (Ohio) Country Club
David Tentis of Woodbury, Minn., Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wisc.
Dustin Volk of Layton, Utah, Valley View Golf Course in Layton
Eric Williamson of Shoal Creek, Ala., Shoal Creek Country Club

The above report is courtesy of the PGA of America. For more information, visit www.pga.com.