St. Simons Island, GA. — For three days the weather was perfect and so was PGA of America Assistant Professional, Jin Chung, en route to claiming the title at the 56th Georgia PGA Championship charged by EnviroSpark at Sea Island Golf Club’s Retreat Course.
Chung, from Château Élan Golf Club, opened the tournament on Monday with a 4-under par 68 and was the co-leader with PGA Life Member Mark Anderson from Brunswick Country Club. Chung continued the great play in round two on Tuesday with a 5-under par 67 to claim the solo lead by three shots over Atlanta Open Champion, and PGA Head Professional, Luke James of Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club. The highlight of the day was when Chung made a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th hole, his first in competition play.
Chung continued the steady play in round three with a 1-under par 71 as the other contenders fell back. He finished the Championship at 10-under par 206 to win by three shots over four-time champion Tim Weinhart of Heritage Golf Links. Chung, a newly elected PGA Member, was playing in his first Georgia PGA Championship. The month of August has been great to Chung, as he won the Georgia PGA Assistants’ Championship earlier in the month at Oak Mountain Golf Club.
Tied for third at 6-under par was James and Georgia PGA Match Play Champion Francisco Bide, PGA Assistant Professional at Capital City Club. There were a total of 12 past champions playing in the starting field of 101. One of those being PGA Teaching Professional J.P. Griffin who finished T5, carding a 68, 4-under par in the final round and won the Georgia PGA Baller football Award provided by Wilson.
The Retreat Course at Sea Island is a par 72 and played at 6,763 yards for the championship. Brannen Veal is the PGA Director of Golf and Johann Emanuel and Jon Olson are Co-Head PGA Professionals. The Georgia PGA Championship charged by EnviroSpark is the only 54-hole event conducted by the Georgia PGA.
About the Georgia PGA
The Georgia PGA is one of the 41 Sections of the PGA of America. Its membership includes nearly 960 PGA professionals working at over 260 golf courses, clubs, and ranges throughout the state. Additionally, more than 35 Georgia PGA members compete on one of the PGA Tours. In keeping with the fundamental objectives laid down by its founders, one of the Georgia PGA’s primary goals is promoting the game of golf through clinics, junior and minority golf programs, consumer programs, and print, radio and television media.