Jason Schmuhl is hoping the PGA Championship is sweeter the second time around. The veteran Windsor Golf Club head professional is preparing to take on the likes of Woods, Mickelson, Spieth and company at the 100th Professional Golfers Association Championship at Bellerive Country Club near St. Louis, Mo. on Aug. 9-12.
This is the second PGA major event that Schmuhl has qualified for in his career and the first since 2010 when he played at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights Country Club in Kohler, Wis., carding a two-day total of 156. Since then, he’s played in some 11 regular PGA tour events, but has never made the cut to play on the weekend.
“This one feels different in that I’ve played in so many tour events over the last eight years that I just feel more comfortable out there,” he said, referring to his second PGA Championship tourney. “It’s going to be fun no matter what happens, but it will be even more fun if I play well.”
Schmuhl’s journey for a coveted spot in the PGA Championship field has been a frustrating one since 2010, twice missing out on a top-20 qualifying placement in a pair of playoffs.
His drive to qualify for this year’s PGA Championship got a big boost after learning that the qualifier tournament would be held at Bayonet Country Club in Seaside on June 17-20, a course that he’s very familiar with.
There, he quickly climbed the leaderboard to card an aggregate total of one-under-par, including a third round score of 68 to finish tied for fourth place, stamping his ticket to St. Louis.
The longtime Windsor pro will have plenty of support when he hits the PGA links in August, accompanied by several family members and his friend Chris Rogers, who will serve as his caddy. “I plan to fly in the previous Saturday, play 18 holes on the course Sunday and play nine holes Monday-Wednesday,” Schmuhl said. “Making the cut is definitely the goal.”
Among Schmuhl’s regular responsibilities at Windsor Golf Club are managing the facility, overseeing member programs and executing player development programs. Although it’s been a challenge, he’s managed to keep his game sharp by playing hundreds of practice rounds while competing in tournaments when schedule and time allows.
“It’s tough trying to prepare for a tournament when it’s the middle of summer and so much is going on at the course but I practice whenever I can,” he said.
As for his plans to compete in future PGA tournaments and possibly the Senior Tour down the road, his answer was simple. “It all depends on how I do in future tournaments,” he said. “Every bit of success you have gives you more confidence going forward.”
Schmuhl is the second player from Windsor that has participated in a Major PGA event this year, with Tim Bogue teeing it up in the United States Senior Open Championship in June.
