Madison, MS: The 2023 National Car Rental Gulf States Assistant PGA Professional Championship was held at Reunion Golf & Country Club on July 10-11. The field included 28 PGA Assistant Professionals and Associates.
Brad Thornton of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College claimed the Assistant PGA Professional Championship honors with a score of 70-71—141. Greg Sonnier, PGA of Lake Charles Country Club was the first-place qualifier with a score of 72-73–145. He will be moving on to the 47th PGA Assistant Championship to be held on November 16-19, 2023 at PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Nate Kitson, PGA of Mississippi State University Golf Course was the second-place qualifier with 73-74–147.
Brad added, “I played in a few Amateur events out here, but I never had any success. It was nice to come up here and piece some good rounds together and have a good finish. The few times I did get out of position it definitely cost me, but it was a great event.”
Greg commented, “I shot even par yesterday and one-over today. Yesterday was really solid, I only hit one birdie, one bogie, today was a little more up and down. I got a good stretch starting on 8. I had four straight birdies to get me back in contention.”
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank the entire staff at Reunion Golf & Country Club including Head Golf Professional, Lucy Matthews, Event Coordinator, Valentina Testa, and Golf Course Superintendent, Charley Crell. Special thanks to our sponsors for this event: National Car Rental, Craig Gibson of Srixon/Cleveland/ASICS, Bryant Himes, PGA of L&B Pro Shop, Heath Martin, PGA of MauiJim, and the PGA Tour.
Also, many thanks to everyone who donated money to the 2023 assistant’s raffle. Their contribution helped form the largest Gulf States Assistants’ Championship purse.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next tournament, the Gulf States Open at Annandale Golf Club, on July 14-16th.