Sept. 3, 2009

Grayslake, Ill. - by Bill Ibrahim, Illinois PGA

At the start of the final round of the 87th Illinois PGA Championship/PPNC (PGA Professional National Championship) on Wednesday at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake, Ill., many people believed that the championship had already been decided as Mike Small started with a five-stroke advantage. It turns out they were right.

The University of Illinois Men's Head Golf Coach captured his record eighth Illinois PGA Championship title after posting a one-under-par 71 in the final round and finishing with a 54-hole total of 207 (-9). His margin of victory was six strokes over Ivanhoe Club head golf professional Jim Sobb. The victory was Small's seventh consecutive Illinois PGA Championship title.

"I really played well today," said Small. "I missed quite a few putts but luckily I had a lead where I didn't have to make them. I hit it so good this week it got me through it."

Even though his putter appeared to have abandoned him after missing short birdie putts on the first three holes, Small, 43, made the turn at two-under-par thanks to birdies on No. 4 and No. 6. Two more birdies at the 10th and 12th holes had Small at four-under par on the day and an eight-stroke lead for the Championship with six holes remaining.

Sobb, 53, matched Small at the turn at two-under par but as the round progressed, he couldn't match Small on the back nine. He finished with an even-par 72 leaving him with runner-up honors for the third time in his career.

"It was a good day today but it's tough to make up five strokes on Mike," said Sobb. "It's like spotting Secretariat 10 lengths. To have the best club professional in the country in our Section and to compete against him I think is the ultimate."

Bryan Luedtke, PGA teaching professional at Sugar Grove Golf Center, finished alone in third place after carding a one-over-par 73 in the final round. Luedtke's three-round total of 214 (-2) not only was his highest finish in the Illinois PGA Championship, but also earned him a spot in the National PPNC in June 2010.

The most dominant player in Illinois PGA history, Small continues to rewrite the Illinois PGA record books. His owns numerous Illinois PGA Championship records, highlighted by his seven consecutive and eight total victories in the Championship. His only blemish in the past nine years was a playoff loss to Bob O'Link Golf Club head golf professional Gary Groh in 2002 at Kemper Lakes Golf Course in Kildeer, Ill.

"I really enjoy coming up here and playing with the guys," Small said. "Competing with my fellow PGA Professionals and having some fun for three days is really enjoyable."

Small will be competing on the 10-member United States Team to face Great Britain & Ireland in the 24th PGA Cup, September 18-20, at The Carrick at De Vere Deluxe Resort in Loch Lomond, Scotland. He earned the spot with his victory in the 2009 National PPNC this past June. The PGA Cup, which originated in 1973, is structured after the Ryder Cup and brings together a team of PGA of America Professionals facing a team from Great Britain & Ireland.

The Nadler Golf Cars 87th Illinois PGA Championship/PPNC purse was $85,000, matching the largest purse in the history of the event. Small, along with the next 12 finishers, received an exemption to play in the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship, which will be contested June 27-June 30, 2010, at French Lick (Ind.) Resort Casino, site of the 1924 PGA Championship. Presenting PPNC sponsors include Club Car, PGA TOUR, Titleist, FootJoy, and Cobra Golf.