DAYTON, OH – Bob Sowards, PGA claimed the 78th Southern Ohio PGA Senior Professional Championship title presented by Cadillac.

“I just love to compete,” reflected Sowards about his experience on the course this week. “My attitude is I have fun when I win – so it was very fun this week and it’s been fun the last six years in this event. It’s just an honor to have my name on this trophy.”

Bob Sowards added another record to his list in the Southern Ohio PGA Section – six consecutive wins in as many years of eligibility at the SOPGA Senior Professional Championship. The Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club has a passion for competing and it shines through when the pressure is on. 

“My game plan was to hit as many greens as possible,” noted Sowards about his strategy to defend the title. “I know I can go low. I didn’t really miss any shots; I didn’t give myself any chances to make bogey.”

Sowards’ opening round was highlighted by  a 77-yard hole out on the 14th hole. That eagle helped him earn a share of the lead overnight. Heading into the final round, Sowards was in familiar territory where he knew it would be a battle with longtime friend and competitor Sam Arnold. He started to break away with two birdies in the opening three holes, which Arnold answered with a couple birdies of his own before the pair made the turn. Sowards continued sticking to his plan of hitting as many greens as possible, giving himself opportunities to go low. Four birdies in the final nine holes and he successfully defended the SOPGA Senior Professional Championship title finishing the tournament eight-under-par 136. 

“Sam – he’s always brought out the best in me,” noted Sowards reflecting on his competitive relationship with Sam Arnold, PGA. “We’ve battled for 20+ years. He’s gotten the best of me & I’ve gotten the best of him but it’s always a treat battling him. 

Arnold, PGA General Manager at Vineyard Golf Course in Cincinnati, wasn’t letting the championship go easily. Opening the tournament with a three-under-par 69, he put himself in a great spot looking to claim his first win. With 13 pars in the final round, he finished the tournament 69-71 four-under-par to punch his ticket back to the national PGA Senior Professional Championship set to be played in October. 

Based on his finish at previous championships, Sowards is exempt into the 2023 event. 

Joining Sowards and Arnold in in the field at the 2023 PGA Senior Professional Championship are; Dan Gage, PGA Director of Golf at Wedgewood Golf & Country Club; Tim Krapfel, PGA Head Professional at Bel-Wood Country Club; Zach Fink, PGA General Manager at Beckett Ridge Golf Club and Chad Ammer, PGA Assistant Professional at Maketewah Country Club. 

Pat Delaney, PGA, Brian Jones, PGA, Barry Hinckley, PGA, Larry King, PGA and Tom Bach, PGA earned spots as alternates from the Southern Ohio Section.

The 2023 PGA Professional Championship is scheduled to be played October 26-29, 2023 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL.  

Click Here to view the 78th Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship leaderboard.

The 2023 Southern Ohio PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac.

Thanks to the team at Walnut Grove Country Club for their commitment to hosting the 78th Southern Ohio PGA Senior Professional Championship. 

 

Final Results 

1   Bob Sowards      Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club           69-67–136 -8  $1,150.00

 2   Sam Arnold       Vineyard Golf Course                  69-71–140 -4  $950.00

 T3  Dan Gage         Wedgewood Golf & Country Club         73-72–145 +1  $700.00

 T3  Tim Krapfel      Bel-Wood Country Club                 72-73–145 +1  $700.00

 T5  Chad Ammer       Maketewah Country Club                74-72–146 +2  $505.00

 T5  Zachary Fink     Beckett Ridge Country  Club           73-73–146 +2  $505.00

 T7  Brian Jones      Kenwood Country Club                  74-73–147 +3  $310.00

 T7  Pat Delaney      Reid Memorial Park Golf Course        73-74–147 +3  $310.00

 T7  Barry Hinckley   Jefferson Golf & Country Club         74-73–147 +3  $310.00

 10  Larry King       Tri County Golf Ranch                 75-73–148 +4  $220.00

 T11 Tom Bach         Heatherwoode Golf Club                74-75–149 +5  $90.00

 T11 John Gordon      Oxford Country Club                   72-77–149 +5  $90.00

 T13 Bob Stephens     Sycamore Creek Country Club           77-73–150 +6  

 T13 Chris Black      Valley View Golf Club                 75-75–150 +6  

 15  Mike Kaido       Zanesville Country Club               72-79–151 +7  

 T16 Jack Pawelkoski  PGA Life Member                       80-72–152 +8  

 T16 Dave Bahr        Maketewah Country Club                78-74–152 +8  

 T16 Steven Klick     Beavercreek Golf Club                 76-76–152 +8  

 T19 Rodney Royster   Westerville Golf Center               76-77–153 +9  

 T19 Craig Goldsberry PGA Life Member                       74-79–153 +9  

 21  Ken Corliss      The Golf Club of Dublin               74-80–154 +10 

 T22 Cory George      PGA Life Member                       77-78–155 +11 

 T22 Ray Finnearty    PGA Life Member                       77-78–155 +11 

 T22 Scott Spence     The Lakes Golf & Country Club         76-79–155 +11 

 25  Tommy Hilliard   PGA Life Member                       76-80–156 +12 

 26  Paul Hollenbaugh New Albany Country Club – North/East  79-78–157 +13 

 27  Paul Hobart      PGA Life Member                       83-76–159 +15 

 28  Glenn Johnson    York Golf Club                        76-84–160 +16 

 T29 Randy Neufarth   PGA Life Member                       83-78–161 +17 

 T29 Jon Decker       Medallion Club – Meadows              80-81–161 +17 

 T29 Brian Tyra       Walnut Grove Country Club             75-86–161 +17 

 T32 Mike Thomas      Sharon Woods Golf Course              87-75–162 +18 

 T32 Alex Brickley    Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club           84-78–162 +18 

 34  Brian Kelly      Ohio State Golf Club                  87-84–171 +27