Since entering senior status, Bob Sowards, PGA, has practically owned the Southern Ohio PGA Section Championship. He’s won six of the seven events he’s been eligible for, and while he’s in prime position to add a seventh title to his ever-growing trophy cabinet, he faces stiff competition this year.
Sowards, Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club, opened with a 3-under 69 at Beavercreek Golf Club. He came out firing, going par–eagle–birdie in his first three holes. A bogey on his closing hole spoiled an otherwise clean card but still left him atop the leaderboard.
That late stumble also allowed Joe Moore, PGA, to grab a share of first. The Head Golf Professional at Beavercreek leaned into his home-course advantage with a tournament-best six birdies, offset by three bogeys, to join Sowards at 3-under.
Another Beavercreek representative, Director of Operations Steven Klick, made the most of his home game as well. Despite a pair of double bogeys, his five birdies were enough to post 1-under 71 and secure solo third after Day 1.
With a dry stretch finally firming up conditions after months of rain, Beavercreek is playing fast and demanding, especially off the fairways. Only Sowards, Moore, and Klick managed to break par on Monday, and the course is expected to provide another stern test in Tuesday’s final round.
Vineyard Golf Club’s Sam Arnold sits in solo fourth at 1-over 73, while Pat Delaney, Mike Thomas, and Anthony Andrews share fifth at +2. The Maketewah Country Club duo of Dave Bahr and Chad Ammer are tied for eighth at +3, with Jimmy Logue and Chris Black rounding out the top 10 at +4.
ROUND 1 RESULTS: Southern Ohio PGA
2025 SOPGA Senior Professional Championship
Beavercreek Golf Club, Beavercreek, Ohio
Monday, September 8, 2025
Blue Golf Hole-by-Hole Results >
T1 Joe Moore, Beavercreek Golf Club 69
T1 Bob Sowards, Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club 69
3 Steven Klick, Beavercreek Golf Club 71
4 Sam Arnold, Vineyard Golf Course 73
T5 Pat Delaney, PGA Life Member 74
T5 Anthony Andrews, Blue Ash Golf Course 74
T5 Mike Thomas, Sharon Woods Golf Course 74
T8 Chad Ammer, Maketewah Country Club 75
T8 Dave Bahr, Maketewah Country Club 75
T10 Jimmy Logue, The Country Club at Muirfield Village 76
T10 Chris Black, The View 76
T12 Barry Hinckley, New Albany Links 77
T12 Tom Bach, Heatherwoode Golf Club 77
T12 Brad Loomis, Miami View Golf Club 77
T12 Paul Hollenbaugh, New Albany Country Club – North/East 77
T12 Tim Krapfel, Golf Galaxy – Dublin 77
T17 Sean Arthur, Hamilton Elks GC W/B 78
T17 Larry King, Tri County Golf Ranch 78
19 Jack Pawelkoski, Miami Valley Golf Club 79
T20 Brad Zeitner, Intown Golf Club 80
T20 Brian Jones, Kenwood Country Club 80
T20 Bob Stephens, PGA Life Member 80
T23 John Gordon, Oxford Country Club 81
T23 Sonny Rinala, Heritage Club 81
T23 Mike Kaido, Zanesville Country Club 81
T23 Paul Hobart, PGA Life Member 81
27 Ryan Brickley, PGA Life Member 82
28 Glenn Johnson, York Golf Club 85
29 Jon Decker, Medallion Club – Meadows 86
30 Brian Kelly, Ohio State University Golf Club 92
