Ben Kern Completes his Career Grand Slam at the 2022 Tradition Championship
BRYAN, TEXAS (June 14, 2022) – Ben Kern, PGA Director of Golf at Georgetown Country Club took home his second Major win of the year and completed his career Grand Slam with the Southern Texas PGA at the 2022 Tradition Championship.
Kern headed into his final round in solo second at (-3) 69, two strokes behind leader Austin Wylie of Mac Wylie Golf Center. Ben tied the lead after hole six with a birdie, but fell down the leaderboard after quintuple bogeying number 11, finding him 6 strokes back from the lead with 7 holes left to play.
With three birdies on the back 9 to boost him back up the leaderboard, Ben held steady down the final stretch to secure his position at one stroke behind leader Austin heading into their final hole. Sticking it just 25 feet from the hole for eagle on the final hole, Ben two putted for birdie and claimed the Open Division major title by one stroke.
“On hole 16, when I birdied and came within two strokes of the lead, the light came on and that’s when I started to see hope of winning,” said Ben. “After hole 11, I pretty much wrote this tournament off, but making a birdie on the next hole was a huge confidence boost to keep the round going.”
The Senior Division saw not only a new player, but a new champion for the STPGA after playing with the Section since 2005. Chad Donegan, PGA Director of Golf at Landa Park Golf Course claimed his first ever major win as he joined the Senior Division for his first major of the year.
Heading into his second round, Chad sat tied for the lead at even-par 72 with Justin Orbin, PGA of Point Venture Golf Club and Edwin Dickens, PGA of Vaaler Creek Golf Club. A back and forth battle for the lead on day two ensued with Chad finishing strong by making birdie on hole 18 and claiming the champion title with a 4-stroke lead at even-par 144.
“I’m at a loss for words. It’s been a long time coming and I am really excited,” said Chad. “This course suits my game and I felt really confident heading into this event. I thought I was going to play well, but I didn’t know I would end up here.”
This was the third major championship in 2022 for the Southern Texas PGA and was contested at Miramont Country Club, a par-72, 7,119-yard facility. This year’s championship featured presenting partners Biolyte, Perry Weather, Swing Juice, Club Car, Ahead, Landmark Golf Course Products, FLAGD, Blue Delta Jeans, and Vortech Contracting. This event featured a total purse of $27,750 for Open Division and $5,500 for Senior Division.
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