LEXINGTON, KY (May 8, 2023) – An afternoon downpour could not stop this year's edition of the KPGA Pro-Lady supported by Imperial and Mobile Pro-Shop. After a beautiful morning a brief rain shower greeted players in the afternoon session shortly after the start of their rounds. However, the teams were able to get through the tough conditions and the sun prevailed by the end of the day.  Professionals from all over the state brought three female amateurs with them to form teams of four. The format of the team competition was best two balls (net) from each hole alongside the traditional low professional and low senior professional competitions.

Nathan Down’s squad of Sherri Buster, Lori Wood, and Kelly Gillespie nosed the field by one shot to capture the title. They shot a team score of 127 (-17). Buster, Wood, and Gillespie were a force to be reckoned with on their home course. They came out firing and recorded 19 net birdies or better between them. Downs play was also stellar throughout the day, and he recorded a 73 (+1) that included 5 birdies as the leader for his squad. As a team, they played fourteen of the eighteen holes under par. It was a complete team effort to bring this title back to their home club of Greenbrier Golf &Country Club.

Gabe Wheeler and Jeremy Martin continued their impressive play this season and tied for low professional honors shooting 69 (-3). Both players were extremely consistent throughout the day and carded 6 birdies during the round. 

Bruce Oldendick posted a round of 70 (-2) to take another low senior professional crown. Oldendick used a stellar back nine which consisted of 3 birdies and one bogey to secure his victory.

NOTES AND STATS

• Richard Schmitt captured CTP honors on #14 with a shot that ended up 9 feet 4 inches from the cup.
• The par-four 15th was the hardest hole of the day carrying a stroke-to-par average of +1.77. The hole only allowed one birdie on the day made by David Huffman.
• The par-four 17th was the easiest hole at +0.86. The whole allowed 48 pars or better throughout the day.
• The front nine played an average of 0.98 strokes harder than the back nine with the course averaging coming out to 93.08.

Click here to view the final results

The Kentucky PGA extends its thanks to Kelly Williams, PGA, Nathan Downs, PGA and their entire team at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club for their assistance in creating a great tournament today. Appreciation is also expressed towards Andrew Lamie who represents Imperial and Mobile Pro Shop for his dedication in supporting this tournament and all Section activities throughout the year.

The Section continues with its tournament schedule next week with a stop at Big Spring Country Club for the KPGA Pro-Senior Championship. A reminder to all that registration will be closing next Monday for the KPGA Match Play Tournaments as well as the Pro-Assistant and Pro-Pro at Audubon Country Club

About the Kentucky PGA:
The Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA) is one of forty-one Sections across the country representing the PGA of America and its Members. It is also one of three organizations encompassed within Golf House Kentucky, which also includes the Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) and Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF). The KPGA contains more than 275 Members and more than 30 Associates working in various roles across Kentucky; all of whom share the goal of bettering the game and its players. The KPGA and its Members assist with the organization of many chief growth-of-the-game initiatives including PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League among others. The Section also operates more than thirty tournaments throughout the golf season, including the three State Open championships and qualifiers for the Barbasol Championship.