Indiana Professional Golf Association, Fort Wayne, IN (August 12) —
The Indiana PGA Professional Championship was held this week as Fort Wayne Country Club hosted the two-day Section qualifier on August 11–12. A strong field of Indiana PGA Professionals teed it up with hopes of qualifying for the 58th PGA Professional Championship, which will be played April 26–29, 2026 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.
With five qualifying spots and four alternate spots on the line, the competition was tight. Temperatures soared into the upper 80s and low 90s, adding another layer of difficulty to a course already demanding precision and patience.
Among the standout performers was Timothy Wiseman, who entered the week already exempt into the national championship—but didn’t let that slow him down. He fired consecutive rounds of 67 to finish at 8-under par, five shots clear of the rest of the field.
“This event is always circled on my calendar,” Wiseman said with a laugh. “For whatever reason, when it comes around, I play some good golf.”
“Being exempt definitely takes some pressure off,” he added. “You can just go out and play free, and that’s what I tried to do both days.”
Despite the lower stakes for him personally, Wiseman remained focused on executing his game plan.
“It’s easy to get caught up in who’s behind you or what’s happening elsewhere,” he said. “I didn’t look at the leaderboard until 18. I just tried to stick to my own game and trust my intuition.”
For Wiseman, it wasn’t just his ball-striking that carried him through, but his mental toughness.
“Mentally, I was probably as good as I’ve ever been,” he said. “Being in that position with the lead—it’s hard. Anybody who says otherwise isn’t being honest. I just focused on being kind to myself, especially after a bad shot, and then kept going, one shot at a time.”
Also qualifying for the national championship were Jeff Marsh, Dave Pugh, Quinn Griffing, and Franklin Crist. Vince Drahman rounded out the five qualifiers by emerging from a playoff to secure the final spot.
Eric Steger, another player who was exempt into Bandon Dunes, posted an even-par total over the two rounds, showcasing steady play despite intense conditions.
As one of the most prestigious events for PGA Professionals across the country, the 58th PGA Professional Championship promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent. Indiana Golf is proud to send a talented group of players to represent the Section on a national stage next spring.