Matt Swanson (Forest Hills Country Club) defended his title and ran away with the National Rental Car Assistant PGA Professional Championship for the Gateway PGA Section on Monday, August 29 at Forest Hills Country Club. In the 36 hole event Swanson shot 68 in round one and 69 in round two for a total of 137 (-7), seven strokes better than second place finisher Shane Blankenship (The Club at Kinderhook) 144 (E).
In the shotgun start Swanson started on hole one and was consistent in his first round with scores of 34 on both the front and the back. After recording two birdies on the front he doubled his birdie total on the back to finish the round at 68 (-4).
In round two he took his first drive at one and birdied his first five holes, including three holes that he parred earlier in the day. He stayed consistent with a 34 on the front nine and added a stroke on the back to shoot 69 (-3).
Swanson and Blankenship will head to Port St. Lucie, Florida for the 46th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship on November 17-20 the Wanamaker Course on the site of the PGA Golf Club at PGA Village.