Seaside, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Dobyns captured the PGA Professional
National Championship by eight shots Wednesday after shooting a 2-under 70 in
the final round on the Bayonet course.
Dobyns finished at 13-under 275 to earn a spot in the PGA Championship for the
first time.
Not bad for a guy who almost didn't play this week because he was reluctant to
miss an event at his home course.
"I'm pretty glad I came," the head pro at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake
Success, N.Y. said after hoisting the Walter Hagen Cup.
Dobyns made his third birdie of the final round at the par-5 18th and dropped
just one shot all day. He led by six strokes entering the round after a 69 on
Tuesday that included a hole-in-one and a closing eagle.
Rod Perry (69) and Kelly Mitchum (71) shared second place at 5-under 283 while
three-time champion Mike Small (73) took fourth at 4-under 284.
The top 20 finishers earned spots in the season's fourth major, to be played
Aug. 09-12 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
The Sports Network