June 26, 2005

Kiawah Island, S.C. - Looks like it's shaping up to be another memorable summer for University of Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small. That's because Small has added a national championship to his resume, roaring to victory today at the 38th PGA Club Professional Championship, held at the par-72, 7,355-yard Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C. Small entered the day one shot off the lead at +3. After the completion of the third round in the morning, which had been suspended on Saturday due to thunderstorms, Small then fired a final-round score of 3-under par 69 to win the tournament by three shots with a 72-hole total of 1-over par (73-76-71-69=289).

This was a milestone win for Small, who finished second at last year's national club pro. With the victory, he earns an exemption for the second consecutive year to the prestigious PGA Championship, which will be held Aug. 11-14 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. Small will also lead a 10-member U.S. Team that will face Great Britain & Ireland in the 22nd PGA Cup, Sept. 23-25, at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the club professional version of the Ryder Cup.

"This was a great event, and it's a great feeling to know that I could come here and withstand my emotions," Small said. "I believe that golf tournaments mean a lot more to me now, because I'm not playing as many as I did in the past. This experience certainly means a lot to me, and I'll never forget it. This is the biggest accomplishment yet for me. The rewards for this thing are so great. I think it will help everything, even recruiting, because I hope that players will come and want to play for someone who can help them."

Small will not have much time to savor his victory, since he is headed straight from South Carolina to Lemont, Ill. to compete at the 102nd Cialis Western Open, June 30-July 3 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. Small has made the cut at the Western the past two years.

For more information on Mike Small's victory at the PGA Club Professional Championship, please visit the official PGA Website