Ben Kern, PGA held a two-day lead and captured the 2023 SOPGA Tour Championship at Scioto Country Club on Wednesday.
Kern, General Manager/Director of Golf at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City, topped his one-under-par performance in the opening Tour Championship round with a two-under-par day on Wednesday, going three-under-par on the front nine before closing the back nine one-over-par.
“I knew on this course you can’t be aggressive, hit fairways, find the right part of the greens and just take pars,” Kern said. “You can get opposition real fast here and make bogey or doubles.”
Wednesday was the third time Kern had played the course at Scioto Country Club, the home of golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Kern birdied three holes on the front nine, including holes No. 2, 6 and 8. His three-under-par result was top among the field while his one-over-par performance on the back nine tied for sixth-best among the 32 competitors.
Michael Auterson, PGA and Chase Wilson, PGA played closely behind Kern.
Auterson, PGA Head Professional at Hickory Woods Golf Course, finished second with a two-over-par performance while Wilson, PGA Director of Instruction at Columbus Country Club, shot four-over-par.
Click here to view the Main Division leaderboard.
Wilson’s finish helped him clinch the SOPGA Rolex Player of the Year. The results came down to the wire in a narrow finish as Wilson earned 1,292 points and Auterson had 1,287.14.
Pat Delaney, PGA Head Professional at Reid Park Memorial Golf Course, entered Wednesday with a lead of three-over-par 73 in the Tour Championship Senior Division. Dan Gage, PGA and Sam Arnold, PGA shot one-over-par to finish in a three-way tie in the Senior Division.
Click here to view the Senior Division leaderboard.
Throughout the season, Southern Ohio PGA Professionals earned points during weekly events, and the Top-30 SOPGA Tour Players earned a spot in the 6th SOPGA Tour Championship.
“It’s such a treat because this is a championship venue and it’s an absolutely fantastic place to get to play golf,” Wilson said. “So very lucky to be a part of it, and honestly, it’s a lot of fun because it’s hard.”
Kern moved into the Southern Ohio Section in February and won the 78th Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship in August. His first year in Ohio has been headlined by five events including four top-25 finishes. After claiming the title at the Tour Championship, Kern was more than pleased by how he rounded out the year.
“Honestly, I wish I could have played more events with the Southern Ohio (team),” Kern said. “Everything at the course is great, my family’s great and then to win the Section Championship and then roll it into this one and to get another W, it’s very satisfying for my first year here in Ohio.”
Click here to view photos from the opening round of the 6th Southern Ohio PGA Tour Championship.