With an eagle on 18, former Tour player Craig Bowden becomes our 2015 Indiana PGA Professional Champion. Bowden posted a 54-hole total of 5-under-par, 208 this week at South Bend CC to win by two shots over Mike O’Toole of Riverside Golf Academy.
“I hit the ball really well,” Bowden said. “It was cold out there and I didn’t have much feel around the greens, but an eagle was a great way to finish. That was the only putt I made all day.”
After becoming a PGA Life Member, and no longer having Tour status, Bowden is now eligible to participate in Indiana Section PGA events.
“I’ve had a busy year and this has been my first chance to play in a Section event in a long time,” Bowden said. “There are a lot of really good players in Indiana and I’m looking forward to giving back to the game of golf in whatever capacity I can.”
Bowden began the day with a two shot lead over O’Toole, which he never relinquished. Both he and O’Toole carded rounds of 3-under-par, 68 today and will each represent Indiana in the 49th PGA Professional National Championship. Adam Marshall, Eagle View GC, Tim Holt, Nicks Golf Center, and Michael Asbell, Woodland CC, will also compete in the National event at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. on June 26-29, 2016.
“My goal this week was to qualify for the PNC, and I am just elated to have won the event,” Bowden said.
Bowden is a three-time Indiana Open Champion (’94, ’95, ’14) and his goal for the 2016 PNC is to finish in the top twenty and grab another opportunity to compete in a Tour event, the 2016 PGA Championship.
“Just to have the opportunity to go and play will be tremendous,” Bowden said. “While on Tour, I wasn’t eligible to compete in the PNC, so this is a unique opportunity and one I really look forward to. Finishing in the top twenty would be a great bonus.”
Marshall, Holt and Asbell who are also advancing to the PNC, finished in a tie for third today at 4-over-par.
Thank you to Club Car for sponsoring today's event.