May 13—Last Saturday, the tournament signup sheet outside the GEAA golf shop read "Beat the new PGA Pro."

Twenty-eight eager amateurs signed up, ready to put their handicap up against the pro’s gross score.

Funny thing is, though, the GEAA didn't hire a new PGA Pro.

But they did receive an upgrade of sorts.

Since 2001, 46-year old Jay Abair has managed the GEAA golf shop under the auspices of aspiring golf professional.

You name it, he did it. Just ask John Gowdy, who plays the GEAA three times a week with his wife, Kathy.

“He has the ability to help you out wherever you need it,” said Gowdy. He’ll do whatever he can to get you out on the golf course, even if it means starting on a different hole.”

Abair had the ambition of a golf professional, but lacked the credentials.

That is, until March 27th, when he completed the PGA Professional Golf Management Program (PGM).

“It was a strain,” said Abair, now a PGAA-1 member. “I know I put more effort into this than college,” he joked.

His progression through the program included three trips to PGA headquarters in Port St. Lucie, one for each Level 1, 2 and 3 checkpoint. Classroom curriculum and assigned bookwork covered everything from basic accounting to golf cart battery acid. All told, Abair estimates that that he spent upwards of $6,500, the majority on course materials and traveling expenses.

“We talked about how difficult it is getting through,” said PGA Life Member Bob Dastoli, who reviewed Abair’s paperwork, evaluated his teaching style and provided a letter of recommendation. “They want the cream of the crop. I passed along some of the things that were passed along to me, sometimes just words of encouragement. But it’s a rewarding road at the end.”

“Rewarding?” Maybe for the 28 amateurs who signed up to beat their “New PGA Pro,” but not for Abair.

“Nobody plays their handicap up here," warned Darin Aitken, who works in the golf shop.

Under cool and cloudy conditions, Abair teed off early and shot a 3-over 75, a far cry from the 4-under 68 he shot one year ago.

But that wasn’t enough against Paul Campoli, who shot 76 and got ten shots from Abair.

“How do you fight that?” Abair Joked. “I’ve got to shoot 65…maybe if I play 16 holes. I’ve got to give [Campoli] five a side. That’s not fair.”

If giving ten shots to Paul Campoli isn’t fair, then giving 24 shots to John Gowdy is downright cruel.

But did Gowdy have a chance, too?

“No, I don’t,” he admitted the night before. “He’s too good a golfer. Even with a high handicap, you still lose.”

Well, apparently not.

Gowdy, a 24-handicap, turned in a respectable 98 and his net score of 74 bested Abair by one.

“It was ugly for him out there,” said Gowdy, one of four players to beat Abair, who had only been beaten by three players since beginning the tournament in 2004.

From his perch in the golf shop afterward, Abair put a positive spin on a bad round.

“I’m trying make them all happy,” he said. “If you do it everyday, it’s a miracle.”

Spoken like a true PGA Professional

But, Gowdy noted, “Now it’s official.”