The Senior PGA Professional Championship wrapped up on Sunday, October 29 at PGA Golf Club. It was another exciting championship, as 264 of the best PGA professionals from throughout the 41 PGA Sections battled it out. In the end Bob Sowards of the Southern Ohio PGA would come out on top and earn his second Senior PGA Professional Championship victory.
Over course of the four days the Wisconsin PGA was well represented by Mick Smith, Brad Lanning, Michael Crowley and Kurt Mantyla.
Smith led the way for the Wisconsin PGA, as his name was in the mix from start to finish. He’d co-share the lead with Mike Small after Thursday and Friday. Opening up with a 6-under-par 65 on Thursday, and then backing it up with a 1-under-par 71 in round two. The Summit resident would continue to stay in the mix throughout the weekend but eventually Sowards separated from the pack with rounds that included 10 birdies and an eagle. Smith would close with a 73 on Saturday and a 76 on Sunday, giving him a 2-under-par 285 total.
His tie for 7th place earned him a coveted spot into the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It also gave him an exemption and return trip to the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship.
“I’m very happy to finish in the top 10 and excited to earn a spot into the 2024 Senior PGA Championship,” Smith told Gary D’Amato of Wisconsin.Golf via text message. “It feels like I’m getting more comfortable with playing in the bigger, national events and starting to see better scores from myself. I know if I keep working on my game, I’m capable of doing better in the future.”
As for Lanning he would be the next highest finisher for the Wisconsin PGA. His play over the four days showed a great deal of consistency. He would card rounds of 70-75-74, and when it mattered the most an even-par 72 in the final round. His 4-over-par 291 total would put him in a six-way tie for 32nd place. With only thirty-five PGA professionals earning a spot in the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Lanning would have to earn his spot via a playoff.
The extra golf would unfortunately not go his way and he’d end up on the outside looking in. Lanning did however secure first alternate status and will hopefully receive an invitation into the field closer to the event.
Unfortunately Crowley and Mantyla would come up short in their bid to play the weekend. Mantyla would card rounds of 76 and 77, while Crowley would shoot 75 and 79. Crowley did take home a once in a lifetime moment on Friday, as he’d make an albatross (double eagle) on the par-5 first hole on the Wanamaker Course.