COLUMBUS, OH – Ben Kern, PGA holds a one-stroke lead over the field after opening the 2023 SOPGA Tour Championship at Scioto Country Club with a score of one-under-par 69.
Southern Ohio PGA Professionals earned points throughout the season, competing in weekly events at facilities around the region. The Top-30 SOPGA Tour players from the points list earned a spot in the 6th SOPGA Tour Championship field held at the home of golf legend Jack Nicklaus – Scioto Country Club.
Kern, PGA General Manager/Director of Golf at Hickory Hills Country Club in Grove City, OH, began the tournament in 10th place on the SOPGA Rolex Player of the Year list earning 533 points this season. After moving into the Southern Ohio Section in February 2023, Kern’s golf game is one thing that has remained consistent throughout all the changes in his life this year. His season has been highlighted by claiming the 78th Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship in a three-way playoff as well as making his first appearance on Team Southern Ohio in the 27th Ohio Cup matches.
Arriving at Scioto Country Club for his first SOPGA Tour Championship appearance, Kern opened the tournament with three bogeys through five holes. As any nerves settled, Kern closed the opening nine with two birdies. Steady play on the back-nine led to two more birdies and helped him post a one-under-par 69.
Chasing down the leader and looking to claim the SOPGA Rolex Player of the Year honors are Mike Auterson, PGA and Chase Wilson, PGA.
Auterson, PGA Head Professional at Hickory Woods Golf Course sits in second place with 1,107.14 points. The SOPGA Queen City Classic winner posted two birdies and two bogeys in an otherwise steady round of even-par 70 to sit in second place.
Wilson, PGA Director of Instruction at Columbus Country Club, currently leads the SOPGA Rolex Player of the Year points list just 25 points ahead of Auterson. He battled through the opening round to card a one-over-par 71 with five birdies and six bogeys to earn the final spot in Wednesday’s final pairing.
Click here to view the Main Division leaderboard.
Pat Delaney, PGA Head Professional at Reid Park Memorial Golf Course leads the Tour Championship Senior Division after posting a three-over-par 73 in the opening round at Scioto Country Club.
Click here to view the Senior Division leaderboard.
The final round will begin on Wednesday morning at 9:00am with tee times off the first tee.
Click here to view photos from the opening round of the 6th Southern Ohio PGA Tour Championship.