Indiana PGA
EVANSVILLE, IN (April 22, 2024) – Eric Steger birdied the first hole in a playoff against Joey Wiseman and Timothy Wiseman, to win the Indiana PGA Southern Open Championship. The Wiseman brothers were leaders in the clubhouse after the first wave of tee times, standing at even par. Challenged by winds in the afternoon wave, Steger stayed steady throughout his round finishing with three birdies, three bogies and fifteen pars, to force a 3-man playoff.
“Coming in today, I put fairways as my number one objective, even if I had to hit something less off the tee. I did a good job of that and snuck one in on the playoff hole to end it,” Steger said.
Hosted by Evansville Country Club, players enjoyed playing on a 7-million-dollar renovation, which included a new practice facility, new golf greens, and five completely new holes.
After playing on the renovated greens, Steger noted, “My wedges weren’t even penetrating the surface on the greens. You were having to leave them laying eight, sometimes ten yards short with a wedge; so if you were not on the fairway, it was very difficult to get a close.”
Following his playoff win, Steger made a phone call before accepting his prize.
“I have a five-year-old boy, Hudson, he is just starting to get into sports and understanding winning and losing and how it doesn’t always happen. You don’t win very often. He thought it was really cool when I called and told him daddy won.”
Looking ahead, Steger is most excited for warmer weather.
“I’m tired of this 40s and 50s stuff, but hopefully we’re around the corner,” he said.
Steger is a PGA Professional teaching and coaching at Pebblebrook Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana.
“We have a good indoor option, but the winter is long inside. I’m looking forward to getting back outside and getting back to work.”
The PGA is one of 41 PGA Sections and is a branch office of the PGA of America. The Indiana PGA provides education opportunities to PGA Members and Associates, serves as our members local connection for membership and employment matters and runs championships for the nearly 450 Indiana PGA Members and Associates. The Indiana PGA Southern Open Championship was open to both Indiana Section PGA Members, Approved Player Associates and to Amateurs who are registered in Indiana.