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The first woman to ever win the Assistant PGA Professional Championship came from the North Florida PGA. Sandra Changkija, PGA – Assistant PGA Professional at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club – accomplished something no one else had in the 49-year history of this event when she captured the 2025 Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club – Dye Course!
“I’ve worked really hard on my game, coming into the Assistant PGA Professional Championship,” said Changkija. “And being that I work a full-time schedule, it’s hard to find time to get in the amount of practice I want to get in.”
Sandra carded rounds of 68-70-70-72 on the par 72 layout, finishing at 8-under par. Her lead going into the final round was only one stroke. With a tight leaderboard, Sandra stayed steady by making two birdies and one bogey on the front nine. She followed that up with one birdie and two bogeys on the back nine. While other competitors tried their best to take the lead, they could not overtake Sandra. A lead that started at one in the final round ended at five, securing the historic victory.
Reflecting on what her victory means, Changkija said, “the field is mostly men in these national events, so it means a lot that a female can win.” Congratulations to Sandra on the history defining win!
Nine North Florida PGA Members competed at the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club at the Dye and Wanamaker Courses. This list included: Barry Cheesman, PGA, Dan Gage, PGA, David Hronek, PGA, Rod Perry, PGA, John Reynaud, PGA, Aaron Russell, PGA, Bob Wallace, PGA, Gene Walter, PGA, and Tom Walters, PGA. This event featured a 36-hole cut and a 54-hole cut. Rod, Bob, and Tom made the 54-hole cut and played in the final round.
Tom used rounds of 72 (Dye), 74 (Wanamaker), 72 (Wanamaker), 74 (Wanamaker) to finish at 4-over T35. Bob had rounds of 74 (Wanamaker), 76 (Dye), 72 (Wanamaker), 74 (Wanamaker) to finish at 8-over T53.
The best finish from the group came from Rod. He shot 70 (Dye), 73 (Wanamaker), 72 (Wanamaker), 71 (Wanamaker) to finish at 2-under and in 8th place. His finish qualified him for the 2026 Senior PGA Championship as part of the Corebridge Financial Team, April 16th – 19th at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL! The NFPGA is excited to see Rod compete in a major in our Section!
Congratulations to all three NFPGA Members on their respective finishes.
On Monday, November 10th, the North Florida PGA brought together passion, purpose, and friendly competition at Alaqua Country Club for the Birdie Bash. In partnership with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, the event welcomed 13 teams who teed it up for a cause, completing 54 holes of spirited play while showcasing how the game of golf can make a lasting difference.
Together, PGA Professionals and their partners made 236 birdies and helped raise over $46,000. These donations directly benefited pediatric patients and families at Orlando Health through the development of the new Children’s Care Pavilion, as well as Veterans participating in PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) North Florida.
