Ben Cook, 27, director of instruction at Yankee Springs Golf Course, qualified for four 18-hole rounds last weekend at the 103rd PGA Championship.
Playing alongside 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson on Saturday and Sunday, Cook shot 69-74 to lead the PGA’s Team of 20 and earn Low Club Professional honors. Cook played his final five holes at the Ocean Course Sunday at 1 under, and finished at 4-over-par 292 for the weekend.
Cook, a graduate of South Christian High School, who spent this winter at John’s Island Golf Club in Vero Beach, Fla., was making his third consecutive start at the PGA, and received a bowl for being the low Club Professional from this year’s Team of 20.
Cook has status on the PGA Tour LatinoAmerica and has aspirations to play his way onto the Korn Ferry Tour. By making the cut at a major championship, he moves past the second stage of Q-School this fall, which will guarantee him some Korn Ferry Tour status.
Making the cut was only the beginning for Cook. He is one of two PGA Professionals (the other being Brad Marek) to make a start at Round 3 of the PGA Championship on Saturday.
Cook, a member of the Michigan Section of the PGA of America, has played in the past three PGA Championships, though he had never made a cut. This year, he made an impressive showing during the first round on Thursday, firing an even par 72. He struggled a bit more on Friday, carding a five-over 77. Regardless, it was enough to make the cut, besting some of the highest ranked golfers in the world.
