Georgia's Reynolds Plantation Selected as Site of 41st PGA Professional National Championship In 2008

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Great Waters and Reynolds Landing, two venues that are part of the Southeast's premier golf course community at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga., have been named the site of the 41st PGA Professional National Championship, the showcase event for PGA Professionals, which will be contested June 19-22, 2008.

Making its first appearance in Georgia since 1979, the PGA Professional National Championship brings together a field of 312 contestants representing The PGA of America's 41 nationwide Sections.

In 2008, the National Championship field will compete on both Reynolds Landing's 7,051-yard, par-72 layout, and the 7,048-yard, par-72 Great Waters, which also will be host for the final two rounds of the Championship. The PGA Professional National Championship, which carried a $550,000 total purse this year, is broadcast live all four rounds by the Golf Channel.

"It is with a great deal of pleasure that our Association's National Championship will showcase its finest playing professionals at Reynolds Plantation," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA Professional National Championship has a tradition of providing both spectacular and challenging venues which have produced outstanding Champions for four decades. Through its world-class facilities, we are delighted that Reynolds Plantation has partnered with our Association to bring the attention of the country to this Championship."

Located 75 miles east of Atlanta and 70 miles west of Augusta, Ga., Reynolds Plantation is a 10,000-plus acre property that offers five championship golf courses among a variety of recreational pursuits by its residents. This fall, the Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation will host the 22nd PGA Cup, Sept. 21-23, a Ryder Cup-style competition matching a United States Team of PGA Professionals against Great Britain & Ireland.

"Reynolds Plantation is very excited and honored to be hosting the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship. We believe that this is a perfect partnership," said Vice President of Golf Operations Bob Mauragas. "As a PGA Professional, my staff and I look forward to the challenge of making this the best PGA Professional National Championship ever."

Designed by Bob Cupp and opened for play in 1986, Reynolds Landing (formerly Port Armor) was the first golf course built on Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in Georgia. At its opening, it was called one of the state's finest golf courses. It features a variety of holes that wind through naturally wooded areas and rolling hills, with three holes that wrap along the lake shoreline. It is one of the premium tests of golf on Lake Oconee.
Great Waters is one of Jack Nicklaus's signature courses, which opened in 1992, and offers players some of the most dramatic golf scenery in the Southeast. Nine holes line the shores of Lake Oconee, offering both exciting challenges and spectacular views.

The PGA Professional National Championship celebrates its 40th edition this summer, June 21-24, at Crosswater Golf Club and Meadows Golf Course at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort. The low 20 scorers in the PGA Professional National Championship will earn a berth into the 89th PGA Championship, Aug. 9-12, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

The PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Buick and Club Car. The PGA Tour is the Supporting Sponsor of PGA of America Professional Tournaments. The Golf Channel, an exclusive media partner, will present live televised coverage of the Championship. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of $1.5 million.

The PGA Professional National Championship, begun in 1968, features some of the finest players in the Association. It has been conducted in 13 states in the previous 39 years. The roster of PGA Professional National Champions include past or current Tour professionals Bob Rosburg, Sam Snead, Ed Dougherty, Bruce Fleisher, Rex Baxter Jr., Don Massengale, Laurie Hammer, Larry Webb, Bob Boyd, Brett Upper, Bruce Zabriski and Mike Small.