It might be difficult to find a player in the field who is more appreciative of being in the PGA Championship than Sonny Skinner.
The PGA professional from River Pointe Country Club in Albany is one of 20 club pros in the field this week at Oak Hill Country Club. It’s the third time Skinner has qualified for the PGA Championship, and at age 52 — and one of the older players in the field — he may be running out of opportunities.
“I have very low expectations,” Skinner said. “I’m not playing the best golf of my career, but you never know … the good can come on you at any moment. I’m putting on my rose-colored glasses.”
Skinner is one of the nation’s more decorated club professionals. He was the PGA Professional of the Year in 2008 and PGA Senior Professional of the Year from 2010, making him the only player to win both awards. He is a two-time runner-up at the PGA Professional National Championship for club professionals.
He will play in the PGA Championship for the third time. He played in 2008 and 2010 and didn’t make the cut either time. He earned a third trip when he tied for ninth at the PGA Professional National Championship.
Skinner arrived in Rochester on Saturday night. He’s staying with a local family that is a friend of a friend. His goals are simple: “Get out and make some pars and make some birdies,” he said.
After this week Skinner will return to River Pointe, which is under new ownership. Skinner will be the general manager of the club. His day-to-day responsibilities may translate into less competitive golf.
“I’m not ready, but my banker’s ready and my wife is ready,” Skinner said.
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