VERONA, N.Y. (June 26, 2006) – Ron Philo Jr., head professional at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, N.Y., bogeyed the third playoff hole on Sunday to win the 39th PGA Professional National Championship at Atunyote Golf Club in Verona, N.Y.  Philo’s bogey was enough to beat Alan Schulte of Fishers, Ind., who hit his tee shot into the water hazard on the 11th hole and was forced to take relief and the costly one-stroke penalty.  This is Philo’s fourth straight top-five finish, and his first victory, in the PGA Professional National Championship.

The 40-year-old Philo started off the day three strokes back and, after a birdie at the second hole, he walked onto the tee box 199-yard, par-three third hole and had his third career hole-in-one.  “The hole-in-one was pretty neat,” Philo said.  “That was my third in competition and the longest I’ve had.”  Philo held the lead for a brief time until he went bogey-bogey-par on the final three holes to make the playoff.  Schulte and Philo both made par on the first two playoff holes, the 10th and 18th, before moving on to the par-three 11th hole.

Philo, who is the brother of LPGA star Laura Diaz, receives an exemption into the 88th PGA Championship, scheduled for August 17-20 at Medinah Country Club.  Philo finished in a tie for 66th at the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club.  Philo also earns the $75,000 first-place prize and the Walter Hagen trophy.  Philo continues his strong play this season, which includes the medalist honors at the Westchester PGA Championship that earned him an exemption into the Barclays Classic at Westchester Country Club in earlier this month.

Three other Met Area head pros, Mark Brown of Tam O’Shanter, Muttontown’s Craig Thomas, and Greg Bisconti of Saint Andrew’s, also finished in top twenty and received exemptions into the PGA Championship.

For more information please contact Jeanne McCooey or Bob Nielsen at the MGA offices at (914) 347-4653 or visit the MGA website, www.mgagolf.org.