Starkville, MS: The 2024 National Car Rental Gulf States Assistant PGA Professional Championship was held at Starkville Country Club on August 12-13. The field included 32 PGA Assistant Professionals and Associates.
Kyle Ellis of The Country Club of Oxford claimed the Assistant PGA Professional Championship honors with a score of 72-65–137. Jeff Berry of Southern Trace Country Club was the first-place qualifier with a score of 67-72–139. He will be moving on to the 48th PGA Assistant Championship to be held on November 14-17, 2024 at PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Kyle Ellis added, “What a fabulous venue for this event this week. The Club was in great condition and the greens were fast. Even on a shorter golf course, this made every golfer have to focus on knowing how to control your golf ball. This is my second time winning this event over the last few years. Coming in and taking home the title gives me the confidence and momentum that I needed to move forward to the Gulf States Open. Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this event possible.”
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank the entire staff at Starkville Country Club including General Manager, Scott Buntin, PGA, Director of Golf, Zach Tate, PGA and Golf Course Superintendent, Justin Lanford. Special thanks to our sponsors for this event: National Car Rental, Craig Gibson of Srixon/Cleveland/ASICS, Alvin Newell of MauiJim, and the PGA Tour. Also, many thanks to everyone who donated money to the 2024 Assistant’s raffle. Their contribution helped form the largest Gulf States Assistants’ Championship purse.