FAIRBORN, OHIO August 22, 2019 – Michael Auterson of Milford, Ohio, winner of the Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship, August 19-20 at Country Club of the North will lead six Southern Ohio Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 53rd PGA Professional Championship, April 26-29 at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas.

Auterson turned in a winning total of 14-under-par 202 to capture the Southern Ohio PGA Professional Champion title. Mike Thomas of Loveland, Ohio was runner-up, finishing at 13-under-par 203. They are joined by Chase Wilson of Zanesville, Ohio, Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, Brad Loomis of Harrison, Ohio and Sam Arnold of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. The PGA Professional Championship purse is $550,000, distributed among those who make the cut in the 312-player field. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the national Championship.

If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2020 will earn berths into the 102nd PGA Championship, May 14-17, at Harding Park Golf Club, San Francisco, California.

In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the PGA Professional Championship winner also receives an exemption into the next 10 PGA Professional Championships and exemptions into six PGA TOUR events over a 12-month period.

Established in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship roster of Champions includes the following premier TOUR professionals: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert, and Bruce Fleisher.

The PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/FootJoy, NIKE and TaylorMade Golf.  Presenting partners are Golf Channel and the PGA TOUR. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of $1.5 million.

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Contact:  Mark Collins                        937-754-4263               MCollins@pgahq.com