Maketewah Director of Golf Birdies Four of the Last Five for a One Shot Victory
(Sunbury, OH) – Dave Bahr, PGA has been victorious three times in the Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship. He has strived to add his name to the Clarence H. Rickey trophy since turning 50 nearly eight years ago. Bahr was able to earn that victory on Tuesday at Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club in Sunbury, OH.
“This is definitely one of my majors during the year,” Bahr noted after his victory. “It might be the biggest major for me these days as I want to qualify and get a top-35 at the Senior PGA Championship.”
Bahr, the Director of Golf at Maketewah Country Club, opened with an even-par 72 during the first round before making an aggressive charge during the final round. Bahr made the turn at two-under following three birdies including a long putt at the par-3 second.
“I’m hot and cold with my putter and started to feel it,” he said of his final round. “I got into a zone and the hole looked pretty big today starting on number two. It continued all day. It was fun to finish the way I did today.”
Speaking of his finish, Bahr finished with birdies at four of the last five, including the last three holes to post a five-under 139.
Joe Moore, PGA Head Professional at Beavercreek Golf Club, and Brad Loomis, PGA Head Professional at Miami View Golf Course, came to the last looking to make a late run to catch Bahr.
Moore played conservatively off the tee on the par-5 and following two solid shots, was able to roll in a birdie putt to finish at four-under 140.
The long hitting Loomis positioned himself well with a long drive down the right side of the fairway. A wedge from just over 160 yards into the par-5 left him with 20 feet for eagle and but the uphill putt missed to the left, giving Bahr the title.
Joining Bahr, Moore and Loomis in qualifying for the national championship was Sam Arnold, PGA, and Chad Ammer, PGA. Arnold, the General Manager at the Vineyard Golf Course and Ammer, the Head Professional at Maketewah Country Club, both posted two-under-par 142.
Also qualifying for the championship was Bob Sowards, PGA Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club. Sowards was already exempt thanks to his victories in 2018 and 2023 in the national championship.
PGA Life Member Bob Stephens finished as the first alternate with Barry Hinckley, PGA Director of Instruction at the Ohio Golf Lounge finishing as second alternate.
The Senior PGA Professional Championship will be held at Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon, AZ, October 22-25, 2026.