The Men’s Divisions at the 2025 PGA National Club Championship provided plenty of drama as they wrapped up on Dec. 15 in Southern California. Three amateur club champions ultimately came away with hard-fought victories, including two via playoffs.
The Championship featured three Men’s Divisions: Open (any age), Senior (50-plus years old) and Legend (65-plus years old) competing on the Pete Dye Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST and the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Two divisions were decided in playoffs, with Daniel Mills (Kenwood Golf & Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland) emerging victorious in the Open Division and Chris Hummel (Greystone Golf & Country Club, Birmingham, Alabama) claiming his second consecutive Senior Division title. Brian Little (Troon Country Club, Scottsdale, Arizona) took the Legend Division by two shots with a final score of 4-under 212.
“This Championship is a wonderful showcase for the top amateur club champions in the country, while also shining a light on the PGA of America Golf Professionals who helped elevate their games,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr.
Mills (pictured) defeated Michael Schnegelberger (Heritage Park Golf Course, Olathe, Kansas) in a playoff for the Open Division after both finished at 6-under 210.
“Growing up, winning the club championship was always the goal, and it took me a little while to finally win it,” said the 27-year-old Mills. “I think coming here was more of a celebration of that, but being a competitive person, I think being a champion among other club champions, it means a lot.”
On the playoff hole, both Mills and Schnegelberger missed the fairway right and found themselves in a bunker. Mills, on a downhill lie off the face of the bunker, found the back of the green while Schnegelberger found water. Mills was able to putt out to win the Open Division.
He credited the PGA of America Golf Professionals he has worked with along the way for his victory.
“Back when I was still learning the game, my teaching pro was Pete Labourdette (formerly at Kenwood),” he said. “He’s moved to another club (nearby Lakewood Country Club), but Pete’s been great for me. The current head professional, Lynne Hunter, at Kenwood has been great, too.”
In the Senior Division, it came down to a playoff between previous champions as Hummel, who won the 2024 edition, took on Chad Scott, the 2022 Senior Champion from Ashland (Ohio) Golf Club. Hummel won on the first playoff hole after the two finished at 6-under 210.
Although there was no playoff, the Legend Division was just as close atop the leaderboard. Little shot a 3-under 69 on the Celebrity Course on Dec. 15, giving him the low round of the day in the Legend Division and securing his two-shot victory.
The PGA National Club Championship features amateur club champions from facilities across the country with a PGA of America Golf Professional. Winners of any 2025 club championship received an invitation to compete from their PGA of America Golf Professional.
