SEASIDE, Calif. - Matt Dobyns of Sea Cliff, N.Y., the 45th PGA Professional National Champion, leads a group of 20 PGA Professionals to the 94th PGA Championship, Aug. 9-12, at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C.

Dobyns, 34, captured his first National Championship in his debut appearance, June 27, at Bayonet Black Horse. He finished with a 2-under-par 70 and 13-under-par 275 total.

The PGA head professional at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y., Dobyns will be making his first appearance in the PGA Championship, and is the seventh member of the Metropolitan PGA Section to capture the National Championship.

The following PGA Professionals will join Dobyns at the 94th PGA Championship:

• Danny Balin of Rockville, Md., representing Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, Conn.
• Frank Bensel of Greenwich, Conn., representing Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.
• Mark Brown of Oyster Bay, N.Y., representing Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Glen Head, N.Y.
• Brian Cairns of Walled Lake, Mich., representing Fox Hills Learning Center in Plymouth, Mich.
• Jeff Coston of Blaine, Wash., representing Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club in Blaine, Wash.
• Michael Frye of Sedona, Ariz., representing Oakcreek Country Club in Sedona, Ariz.
• Brian Gaffney of Monmouth Beach, N.J., representing Rumson (N.J.) Country Club
• Marty Jertson of Phoenix, Ariz., representing PING Golf in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Darrell Kestner of Glen Cove, N.Y., representing Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y.
• Mitch Lowe of San Francisco, representing Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Golf Links
• Kelly Mitchum of Southern Pines, N.C., representing Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club
• Alan Morin of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., representing The Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Fla.
• Bill Murchison of Canton, Ga., representing Towne Lake Hills Golf Club in Woodstock, Ga.
• Rod Perry of Port Orange, Fla., representing Crane Lakes Golf Course in Port Orange, Fla.
• Corey Prugh of Spokane, Wash., representing Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Wash.
• Paul Scaletta of Jupiter, Fla., representing The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Fla.
• Mike Small of Champaign, Ill., representing the University of Illinois
• Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, representing New Albany (Ohio) Country Club
• Doug Wade of Cincinnati, Ohio, representing Miami Valley Golf Club in Dayton, Ohio

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.