The 42nd PGA Professional National Championship is being held June 28 – July 1, 2009 at Twin Warriors Golf Club & Santa Ana Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.  312 PGA Professionals from all 41 PGA Sections are competing in this weeks 72 hole event.  The field will be cut to the low 70 plus ties after round 2 to play for the $550,000 purse and the winner taking $75,000.  The Iowa Section PGA is represented by 4 PGA Professionals who qualified through the 2008 Iowa Professional National Championship held at The Havester Golf Club.  Congratulations and good luck to John Bermel of Pheasant Ridge Golf Course, Aaron Krueger of Pinnacle Country Club, Chad Proehl of Sugar Creek Municipal Golf Course, and Sean McCarty of Brown Deer Golf Club.  Below you will find each players tee time and a link to results.

	John Bermel	Aaron Krueger	Chad Proehl	Sean McCarty
Round 1 & 2	73 – 74  (+5)	75 – 80 (+13)	78 – 75 (+11)	77 – 72 (+7)
	T-133	T-271	T-246	T-172

Click Here For Results

Congratulations to Curt Schnell, Director of Golf at Okoboji View Golf Course in Spirit Lake, IA for qualifying for the 2009 United States Senior Open Championship to be held July 27 – August 2 at Crooked Stick Golf Club, in Carmel, Indiana.  Curt posted a 1-under-par 71 at Lake Panorama National Golf Course on Monday, June 22nd to force a playoff with Ken Schall, Director of Golf at Glen Oaks Country Club who also finished with a 71.  Curt and Ken, both members of the Iowa Section PGA, battled for the 1 qualifying spot in a sudden death playoff.  Curt sunk a 10-foot birdie putt on the 1st playoff hole to capture the qualifying spot.  Congratulations also to Ken Schall who will be the 1st alternate for the 2009 U.S. Senior Open.

Curt Schnell

Click Here for Complete Results from the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Local Qualifier

Below is an interview between Curt Schnell and Adam Tiedt.

Adam: “Tell us about your round on Monday?”
Curt: ” Well, I got off to a good start with birdies on #2 and #4 but ran into some trouble on #5.  I got stuck punching out under a tree and ended up in a water hazard with my punch-out shot and made double-bogey, 6.  Came back to birdie #6 and #7 but turned around and made bogey on #8.  Turned at 1-under 35 and really played much more steady on the back nine.  I really thought my chances of qualifying were slim after I missed what seemed like a simple 4-foot par put on #18.”

Adam: “And the playoff?”
Curt: “Kenny and I have played together for a long time and we even mentioned something like that to each other when we stepped up to the 1st tee of the playoff.  I rolled a good 10 foot putt on the 1st hole for birdie.”

Adam: “How does this rank within your golfing career?”
Curt: “I played in 2 PGA Championships in the early 90′s and 5 PGA TOUR Events but never a USGA Championship.  Without a doubt it is right up there with the 2 PGA Championships, and it is a great honor.”

Adam: “What will the next few months be like for you leading up to the U.S. Senior Open?”
Curt: “Really, I don’t think I will change much of my practice or playing routine.  I will try and squeeze some practice sessions between giving lessons, as usual.  I will be caddying for my son Brady in the upcoming John Deere Classic and also a upcoming Nationwide Tour event.  I will bring my clubs with me and might try and practice when I can but I really do enjoy caddying for Brady.  The main thing I want to do is just enjoy the experience I will have.  I think the toughest part of it will be getting mentally comfortable.  It will be a lot different then playing in Section Events where it is easier to get comfortable with the guys we see week in and week out.  My goal is just to enjoy the experience.”

Former Iowa Junior Tour Player of the Year, Ian Vandersee of West Des Moines, IA qualified for the United States Junior Amateur Championship this past Thursday, June 18th.  Ian captured the local qualifier held at Fort Dodge Country Club by shooting an impressive even-par, 142.  Ian’s first round of 2-under-par 69 gave him a three shot lead over the field going into the second round.  Steady play and a solid 2-over-par 73 gave Ian a 4 shot victory which qualified him for 2009 United States Junior Amateur, to be held July 20-25 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.  Ian was the 2008 Boys 16-18 Player of the Year on the Iowa Junior Tour and is entering his senior year at West Des Moines Valley High School this fall.

Ian Vandersee

Click Here for Complete Results from the US Junior Amateur Qualifier