Bandon, Oregon – South Texas PGA Teaching Professional Jesse Droemer embraced the challenges of links golf, the southern Oregon Coastline at Bandon Dunes, and the field of 312 PGA Professionals to win the Walter Hagen Cup. With his triumph comes the opportunity of a lifetime – entry into the PGA Championship at Aronimink and a trip to Ireland for the PGA Cup.
The winds steadily became stronger as the leaders made their way towards the final seaside stretch, making Bandon Dunes must-see television for the viewers at home. On the grounds, the players were just trying to survive the elements. Jesse Droemer was solid all-day, firing a final-round 2-under-par 70 to finish at 4-under-par 283 winning by one over Ben Kern after a final round 71. Michael Kartrude from The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida gave it a valiant run – finishing two back at two under par (70).
“I knew it was going to be windy, I knew the conditions were going to be tough, and I just really was trying to embrace the elements. I’m glad it was windy. I’m glad it was playing hard, but yesterday was probably tougher.”
Of the challengers, Kern was closest, but he chose to lay up on 18, opting to play the par 5 as a three-shot hole each day. His wedge approach came up short, leaving a lengthy putt to tie the lead… he could only manage par. Kartrude was the player with momentum, and the best chance to catch Droemer. He reached the par 5 eighteenth in two from 255 out, leaving a 25 ft uphill eagle attempt to tie the lead… and potentially take the competition to a playoff. The bold attempt for eagle ran some 10 ft past… when all was done, he’d settle for par and solo third at 2 under. “I was going for a chance to win, had to take it while I had the opportunity. That was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” Kartrude said afterward.
If Droemer had any nerves, there was no way to tell; he was steady out of the blocks, starting with five straight pars. He made bogey at the par-3 6th, but bounced back with a birdie at the uphill par-4 7th. After another at the 9th, he headed to the inward side after a 1-under-35 on the front. He carried the good vibes forward, starting with another birdie at the 10th and the downwind par-5 13th. Droemer gave one back on the treacherous par-3 15th, then held serve… with three consecutive pars to finish off the field of 312 – booking his return to the PGA Championship.
“This will be my third PGA and the first one was in 2023,” said Droemer, who also qualified last year at Quail Hollow. “I realized I was a lot more comfortable last year after that one. You know, going into that tournament, I’m not trying to just enjoy it. I’m trying to go out and win a golf tournament. I said it last year, I’ve never played a tournament to try to lose. So I’m gonna go out and try to win a golf tournament.”
Top 20 Finishers Heading to PGA Championship at Aronimink:
Jesse Droemer (Houston, Texas) – Riverbend Country Club, Southern Texas Section
Ben Kern (South Bloomfield, Ohio) – Hickory Hills Golf Club, Southern Ohio
Michael Kartrude (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) – The Bear’s Club, South Florida Section
Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Fla.) – John’s Island Club, South Florida Section
Zach Haynes (Bowling Green, Ky.) – The Club at Olde Stone, Kentucky Section
Garrett Sapp (Cypress, Calif.) – San Gabriel Country Club, Southern California Section
Austin Hurt (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) – Wing Point Golf & Country Club – Pacific Northwest Section
Braden Shattuck (Aston, Pa.) – Rolling Green Golf Club, Philadelphia Section
Mark Geddes (Coronado, Calif.) – Coronado Golf Course, Southern California Section
Ben Polland (Wilson, Wyo.) – Shooting Star of Jackson Hole, Rocky Mountain Section
Michael Block (Mission Viejo, Calif.) – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Southern California Section
Bryce Fisher (Oregon City, Ore.) – Arrowhead Golf Club, Pacific Northwest Section
Ryan Lenahan (New Hudson, Mich.) – Walnut Creek Country Club, Michigan Section
Jared Jones (Dublin, Ohio) – Scioto Country Club, Southern Ohio Section
Francisco Bide (Duluth, Ga.) – Capital City Club, Georgia Section
Chris Gabriele (Halesite, N.Y.) – Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, Metropolitan Section
Derek Berg (Duvall, Wash.) – PNW Golf Academy, Pacific Northwest Section
Ryan Vermeer (Elkhorn, Neb.) – Happy Hollow Club, Nebraska Section
Paul McClure (Mobile, Ala.) – Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove, Alabama-NW Florida Section
Timothy Wiseman (New Albany, Ind.) – Different Strokes Golf Center, Indiana Section
Scores: https://www.pga.com/events/pga-professional-championship/embed
For links golf enthusiasts, Bandon Dunes was the real star of the week. Kudos to the PGA of America for bringing this championship to the South Oregon Coastline. For more information on Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: https://bandondunesgolf.com/
