Jason Schmuhl, the head professional at Windsor Golf Club, captured the Northern California PGA Senior Professional Championship this week by finishing 11 under par to claim the title at the Del Rio Country Club in Modesto.
Schmuhl had a strong opening round, shooting a 64 — eight under par — to take the lead. He held onto the top spot through Tuesday’s second round despite a late charge from another contender.
It wasn’t smooth sailing at first, as Schmuhl said he three-putted holes three and four from about 10 feet out.
“Then the nerves kind of settled down, and I was able to play some really good golf after that,” Schmuhl said.
Schmuhl had a nine shot lead with three holes to go. Warren Pineo, a pro at the Montreax Golf and Country Club in Reno and Schmuhl’s chief rival in the second and final round, closed with two birdies and an eagle to finish six under par.
“It’s tough sometimes to play on a lead, because you end up playing a little bit differently, trying to protect your lead,” Schmuhl said. “The stats are pretty crazy on the PGA tour — with the exception of like Tiger Woods and Phil (Mickelson), usually the guy that’s leading going into the final round does not win.
“I had a game plan and I was just gonna play conservative, try not to make a bogey, and I accomplished that.”
The victory earned Schmuhl an automatic berth in the PGA of America’s Senior Professional Championship, scheduled for Oct. 22-25 at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Arizona.
Schmuhl was the only competitor from Sonoma County among the field of 35 golfers playing in Modesto.
“It always feels good to represent Sonoma County. I wish there were more guys in Sonoma County who participated in a lot of those tournaments,” Schmuhl said.
Schmuhl will now represent the area on the national stage when he competes against senior professionals from across the country at the October tournament.
“I’m looking forward to playing another national championship,” he said. “I’ve played in quite a few of them, the regular ones, and then this will be my fourth senior that I’ve played in.”
After turning 50 — the minimum age for competing in the Senior PGA — Schmuhl appeared in the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 editions of the PGA Senior Professional Championship.
His goal is simple: “I’m hoping to win it.”
He also hopes to qualify for the Senior PGA Championship in 2027, just like he did in his first year competing at the senior level.
Next year’s Senior PGA tournament will be held in April in Sarasota, Florida.