Top 72 Qualifying Players Set to Compete in Second Playing of ‘The Drew’ at East Lake Golf Club
The Georgia PGA, in partnership with PGA REACH Georgia, is proud to announce the 72 players who have officially qualified to compete in the second playing of The Drew, set for Monday, November 2, 2026, at East Lake Golf Club.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025, The Drew returns to East Lake, bringing together the top Georgia PGA Professionals for one of the Section’s most anticipated competitions. The championship will feature an 18-hole stroke play format, culminating in a winner-take-all playoff for the leading finishers. The champion will take home $50,000, the largest single payout in Georgia PGA history.
Dan Merriman, PGA Head Golf Professional at East Lake Golf Club, returns as the defending champion after capturing the inaugural title in 2025. Merriman will look to defend his title against a competitive field of Georgia PGA Professionals who earned their spots through their performances throughout the 2026 tournament season.
“In just its second year, The Drew has already established itself as one of the most meaningful events on our Georgia PGA calendar,” said Scott Geary, CEO of the Georgia PGA and Executive Director of PGA REACH Georgia. “Bringing together 72 of our top PGA Professionals to compete at East Lake Golf Club for a $50,000 first-place prize is an incredible opportunity and a testament to the strength of professional golf in Georgia.”
Beyond the competition, The Drew serves a greater purpose by honoring the life and legacy of Drew Dunn, PGA, while creating opportunities for the next generation of golf professionals. In 2026, PGA REACH Georgia introduced The Drew Grant, an initiative providing financial assistance of up to $3,500 to a Georgia PGA Associate pursuing PGA Membership.
“What makes this event truly special is that it represents something much bigger than competition,” Geary added. “Through The Drew and the newly established Drew Grant, we are creating opportunities for PGA Professionals while investing in the next generation, all in honor of someone who meant so much to our Georgia PGA community.”
For those who knew Drew personally, the event is an opportunity to celebrate not only his contributions to the game but also the relationships and lasting impact he made throughout the Georgia golf community.
“Drew was much more than a PGA Professional. He was a great friend, a mentor to many and someone who genuinely cared about those around him,” said Chad Parker, PGA, President and General Manager of East Lake Golf Club and Vice Chair of PGA REACH Georgia. “Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Drew understand how much he meant to East Lake and the golf community.”
Parker also emphasized the significance of hosting the event at East Lake and the opportunity to carry Drew’s legacy forward through both the championship and The Drew Grant.
“Drew would have loved the competition, but I believe he would be even more proud of the opportunities this event is creating for others,” Parker added. “We are honored to welcome everyone back to East Lake and continue celebrating his legacy.”
Donations to support The Drew Grant can be made here: THE DREW GRANT
The championship festivities will begin with a special Pro-Am and dinner on Sunday, November 1, 2026, bringing together participants, supporters and members of the Georgia golf community to celebrate Drew’s lasting impact. During the dinner, the inaugural recipient of The Drew Grant will be announced and recognized, marking a meaningful milestone in continuing Drew’s legacy of supporting aspiring PGA Professionals. The championship will follow on Monday, November 2, as 72 qualified professionals compete for the prestigious title.
2026 The Drew – Qualified Field (Top 72)
- Francisco Bide – Capital City Club
- Jacob Tilton – Ansley Golf Club
- Jin Chung – Château Élan Golf Club
- Matt Sanders – West Pines Golf Club
- Luke James – Jennings Mill Country Club
- Chad Thomas – West Pines Golf Club
- Anthony Cordes – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Jeff Cammon – Sea Island Golf Club
- Jabir Bilal – Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club
- Todd Sapere – Ohoopee Match Club
- Jake Keen – Maple Ridge Golf Club
- J.P. Griffin – Capital City Club
- Chris Cartwright – West Pines Golf Club
- Sonny Skinner – Spring Hill Country Club
- Todd Ormsby – Summer Grove Golf Club
- Tim Weinhart – Woodmont Golf & Country Club
- Hunter Suggs – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Austin Quillian – The Oconee at Reynolds
- Peter Jones – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Dylan Malafronte – Frederica Golf Club
- Sean Fox – Bridgemill Athletic Club
- Brian Dixon – Fox Creek Golf Club
- Paul Claxton – Willow Lake Golf Club
- Jay Unis – Atlanta Athletic Club
- Jason McKinney – St. Marlo Country Club
- Alex Hyman – The Preserve at Reynolds Lake Oconee
- Daniel Mock – Druid Hills Golf Club
- Avery Price – The Rose Golf Club
- Kevin Gibbs – Oak Mountain Golf Club
- Cal Taylor – The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee
- Ted Fort – Marietta Golf Center
- Tommy Brannen – Augusta Country Club
- Austin Kleynenberg – Frederica Golf Club
- Dan Merriman – East Lake Golf Club
- Alex Sutton – The River Club
- Shaun Kelley – Hampton Golf Village
- Chris Shircliff – Polo Golf & Country Club
- Gary Miller – Chimney Oaks Golf Club
- Tyler Johnson – Pinetree Country Club
- Austin Rosendahl – Sea Island Golf Club
- Jamie Hein – RiverPines Golf Club
- Nick Bailes – White Columns Country Club
- Chris Marotto – Echelon Golf Club
- Erica Couch – Richmond Hill Golf Club
- Bill Daggett – Cherokee Golf & Country Club
- Jeff Frasier – Reunion Country Club
- Dano Korytoski – Newnan Country Club
- Wes Helfrich – Château Élan Golf Club
- AJ Panyko – Ansley Golf Club
- Jordan Conant – Sea Island Golf Club
- Mike Miller – Big Canoe Golf Club
- Andrew Arft – Barnsley Resort
- Brian Oliver – Stone Mountain Golf Club
- Zach Cooper – Iron Horse Golf Club
- Phil Wagoner – RiverPines Golf Club
- David Ward – The Standard Club
- Tonya Danckaert – Bobby Jones Golf Course
- Bobby Hrdlicka – Ohoopee Match Club
- Corey Ford – Augusta Country Club
- Rodger Hogan – Chattahoochee Golf Club
- Jacob Tobias – Brunswick Country Club
- Donn Perno – Peachtree Golf Club
- Uel Kemp – Lake Arrowhead Yacht & Country Club
- Bryan Gubser – Five Iron Golf – Atlanta
- Mark Anderson – Brunswick Country Club
- Glenn Scapin – Dunwoody Country Club
- Daren Johnson – Frederica Golf Club
- David Brown – Eisenhower Lakes Golf Course
- Tom Farrell – The Savannah Golf Club
- Richard Rebne – The Farm Golf Club
- Gary Cressend – Cressend Golf Performance
- Michael Reeves – Brunswick Country Club
About The Drew
The Drew was established in memory of Drew Dunn, PGA, honoring his passion for golf, his spirit of sportsmanship, and his lasting impact on those around him. Hosted at the historic East Lake Golf Club, the event not only celebrates competitive excellence but also supports the mission of PGA REACH Georgia, impacting lives through youth development, military, and diversity & inclusion programming.
About the Georgia PGA
The Georgia PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America and represents more than 1000 PGA Professionals throughout the state. With a mission to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf, the Georgia PGA supports its members through education, competitive tournaments, and community-focused programming. The Section plays a vital role in advancing the profession and fostering excellence across all areas of the game, from junior golf and player development to career services and community impact.
About East Lake Golf Club
Founded in 1904, East Lake Golf Club is Atlanta’s oldest golf course and the historic home of golf legend Bobby Jones. With a legacy of hosting many of the game’s premier championships, East Lake is one of the most storied venues in American golf. Beyond the game, the Club is deeply committed to community impact through its “Golf with a Purpose” initiative. Since 1995, it has served as the cornerstone of a transformative revitalization effort in Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood, led by the East Lake Foundation, and driven by the power of golf to inspire change and opportunity. Today, East Lake Golf Club stands as a national model for how the game can create lasting, positive impact in the lives of individuals and communities.
Sponsor/In-Kind Donation Inquiries
Scott Gordon
Chief Operating Officer
Georgia PGA
sgordon@pgahq.com
Media Contact
Sloan Aubrey
Communications Coordinator
Georgia PGA
saubrey@pgahq.com