Dan Merriman, PGA Head Golf Professional at East Lake Golf Club, returns to defend his championship at The Drew, which offers the largest payout for a PGA section tournament in the country.
The tournament, in partnership with the Georgia PGA and PGA REACH, is Nov. 2 at East Lake Golf Club.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025, The Drew returns to East Lake, bringing together the top Georgia PGA Professionals for one of the Section’s most anticipated competitions. The championship will feature an 18-hole stroke play format, culminating in a winner-take-all playoff for the leading finishers. The champion will take home $50,000, the largest single payout in Georgia PGA history.
Merriman will look to defend his title against a competitive field of Georgia PGA Professionals who earned their spots through their performances throughout the 2026 tournament season.
“In just its second year, The Drew has already established itself as one of the most meaningful events on our Georgia PGA calendar,” said Scott Geary, CEO of the Georgia PGA and Executive Director of PGA REACH Georgia. “Bringing together 72 of our top PGA Professionals to compete at East Lake Golf Club for a $50,000 first-place prize is an incredible opportunity and a testament to the strength of professional golf in Georgia.”
Beyond the competition, The Drew serves a greater purpose by honoring the life and legacy of Drew Dunn, PGA, while creating opportunities for the next generation of golf professionals. In 2026, PGA REACH Georgia introduced The Drew Grant, an initiative providing financial assistance of up to $3,500 to a Georgia PGA Associate pursuing PGA Membership.
“What makes this event truly special is that it represents something much bigger than competition,” Geary added. “Through The Drew and the newly established Drew Grant, we are creating opportunities for PGA Professionals while investing in the next generation, all in honor of someone who meant so much to our Georgia PGA community.”
For those who knew Drew personally, the event is an opportunity to celebrate not only his contributions to the game but also the relationships and lasting impact he made throughout the Georgia golf community.
“Drew was much more than a PGA Professional. He was a great friend, a mentor to many and someone who genuinely cared about those around him,” said Chad Parker, PGA, President and General Manager of East Lake Golf Club and Vice Chair of PGA REACH Georgia. “Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Drew understand how much he meant to East Lake and the golf community.”
Parker also emphasized the significance of hosting the event at East Lake and the opportunity to carry Drew’s legacy forward through both the championship and The Drew Grant.
“Drew would have loved the competition, but I believe he would be even more proud of the opportunities this event is creating for others,” Parker added. “We are honored to welcome everyone back to East Lake and continue celebrating his legacy.”
Donations to support The Drew Grant can be made here: THE DREW GRANT
The championship festivities will begin with a special Pro-Am and dinner on Sunday, November 1, 2026, bringing together participants, supporters and members of the Georgia golf community to celebrate Drew’s lasting impact. During the dinner, the inaugural recipient of The Drew Grant will be announced and recognized, marking a meaningful milestone in continuing Drew’s legacy of supporting aspiring PGA Professionals. The championship will follow on Monday, November 2, as 72 qualified professionals compete for the prestigious title.
2026 The Drew – Qualified Field (Top 72)
- Francisco Bide – Capital City Club
- Jacob Tilton – Ansley Golf Club
- Jin Chung – Château Élan Golf Club
- Matt Sanders – West Pines Golf Club
- Luke James – Jennings Mill Country Club
- Chad Thomas – West Pines Golf Club
- Anthony Cordes – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Jeff Cammon – Sea Island Golf Club
- Jabir Bilal – Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club
- Todd Sapere – Ohoopee Match Club
- Jake Keen – Maple Ridge Golf Club
- J.P. Griffin – Capital City Club
- Chris Cartwright – West Pines Golf Club
- Sonny Skinner – Spring Hill Country Club
- Todd Ormsby – Summer Grove Golf Club
- Tim Weinhart – Woodmont Golf & Country Club
- Hunter Suggs – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Austin Quillian – The Oconee at Reynolds
- Peter Jones – Cherokee Town and Country Club
- Dylan Malafronte – Frederica Golf Club
- Sean Fox – Bridgemill Athletic Club
- Brian Dixon – Fox Creek Golf Club
- Paul Claxton – Willow Lake Golf Club
- Jay Unis – Atlanta Athletic Club
- Jason McKinney – St. Marlo Country Club
- Alex Hyman – The Preserve at Reynolds Lake Oconee
- Daniel Mock – Druid Hills Golf Club
- Avery Price – The Rose Golf Club
- Kevin Gibbs – Oak Mountain Golf Club
- Cal Taylor – The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee
- Ted Fort – Marietta Golf Center
- Tommy Brannen – Augusta Country Club
- Austin Kleynenberg – Frederica Golf Club
- Dan Merriman – East Lake Golf Club
- Alex Sutton – The River Club
- Shaun Kelley – Hampton Golf Village
- Chris Shircliff – Polo Golf & Country Club
- Gary Miller – Chimney Oaks Golf Club
- Tyler Johnson – Pinetree Country Club
- Austin Rosendahl – Sea Island Golf Club
- Jamie Hein – RiverPines Golf Club
- Nick Bailes – White Columns Country Club
- Chris Marotto – Echelon Golf Club
- Erica Couch – Richmond Hill Golf Club
- Bill Daggett – Cherokee Golf & Country Club
- Jeff Frasier – Reunion Country Club
- Dano Korytoski – Newnan Country Club
- Wes Helfrich – Château Élan Golf Club
- AJ Panyko – Ansley Golf Club
- Jordan Conant – Sea Island Golf Club
- Mike Miller – Big Canoe Golf Club
- Andrew Arft – Barnsley Resort
- Brian Oliver – Stone Mountain Golf Club
- Zach Cooper – Iron Horse Golf Club
- Phil Wagoner – RiverPines Golf Club
- David Ward – The Standard Club
- Tonya Danckaert – Bobby Jones Golf Course
- Bobby Hrdlicka – Ohoopee Match Club
- Corey Ford – Augusta Country Club
- Rodger Hogan – Chattahoochee Golf Club
- Jacob Tobias – Brunswick Country Club
- Donn Perno – Peachtree Golf Club
- Uel Kemp – Lake Arrowhead Yacht & Country Club
- Bryan Gubser – Five Iron Golf – Atlanta
- Mark Anderson – Brunswick Country Club
- Glenn Scapin – Dunwoody Country Club
- Daren Johnson – Frederica Golf Club
- David Brown – Eisenhower Lakes Golf Course
- Tom Farrell – The Savannah Golf Club
- Richard Rebne – The Farm Golf Club
- Gary Cressend – Cressend Golf Performance
- Michael Reeves – Brunswick Country Club
