COLUMBUS, OH – Sam Arnold, PGA finished four-over-par to successfully defend the SOPGA Tour Championship title.
“Fantastic. Just fantastic,” reflected Arnold on his 2022 season. “To win a tournament in our Section amongst all the best players; it’s just a good feeling for sure.”
The PGA General Manager at Vineyard Golf Course in Cincinnati, OH opened the fifth SOPGA Tour Championship confident in his game after recent competitive rounds in similar, difficult weather conditions. Feeling like he had a slight advantage over the field, he posted a steady round of even-par 71 to take the overnight lead. Arnold stayed consistent and confident to card a final round score of four-over-par 75 and claim his second consecutive Tour Championship.
“The final round is always tough. You want to play conservative and aggressive at the same time. I did not watch the scoreboard today just because I knew the weather was bad and pars were going to be good,” noted Arnold about his game plan heading into the final round. “I think I had an advantage because the last round of the Senior PGA Professional Championship was extremely windy, cold and rainy so I already had a round under my belt with those conditions.”
Arnold closes out the 2022 SOPGA season with nine top-10 finishes including four victories. In addition to earning his second consecutive SOPGA Tour Championship, this season is also highlighted by the 77th Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship where he battled for the victory at Miami Valley Golf Club in August as well as a team win at the 26th Ohio Cup Matches at Barrington Golf Club in early October. Although finishing runner-up at the 77th Southern Ohio Senior PGA Professional Championship, Arnold recently returned from Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico where he finished T-41 in the national PGA Senior Professional Championship.
“I think it just hit me how successful of a year playing wise it’s been,” said Arnold. “To compete and play against the best players in Southern Ohio and come out on top is great. I’m very honored and pleased and blessed because there are so many good players in our Section. I wish the season wasn’t over!”
Chasing Arnold for the title today, Reed Black, PGA Head Professional at Dayton Country Club made a run two spots up the Championship leaderboard. Three birdies in the final round’s opening holes helped him make the turn one-under-par. Although he ran into some trouble in the final nine holes, Black finished the tournament one stroke back at five-over-par. Chad Ammer, PGA Assistant Professional at Maketewah Country Club finished in third place at six-over-par after posting a final round score of 75.
Click here to view the full 2022 SOPGA Tour Championship Main Division leaderboard.
Click here to view a photo gallery of the 2022 SOPGA Tour Championship field.
The 2022 SOPGA Tour Championship is made possible thanks to the PGA TOUR’s support of PGA of America Sections and the support of Adidas in Southern Ohio. Central Ohio Adidas representative Christa Pettit cheered on the field this week at Scioto Country Club.
Thanks to Joe Falardeau, PGA and his team at Scioto Country Club for hosting the 5th SOPGA Tour Championship!