To say that there are similarities between Michael Block and Maine golf professional Shawn Warren is not an exaggeration.

Block, the PGA club pro from Southern California who shocked the golf world May 21 at The PGA by finishing tied at 15th, achieved what every club pro yearns to do. Not only did he earn $288,000, but he secured a spot in the 2024 PGA. By the way, that $288,000 cash haul only could be equaled by Block by giving more than 1,400 lessons at $125 per hour.

So why is Block’s achievement even mentioned in the same breath as the career of Warren? Warren, who is on the staff at Point Sebago, might be the all-time money leader among Maine club pros. For certain, he has earned more tournament prize money in the 21st century than any other golfer who resides in Maine.

Block has been Southern California Pro of the Year nine of the last 10 seasons. Warren was the New England PGA Player of the Year in 2016. California has more golfers than any of the 50 U.S. states and most certainly more than Maine or than the six states in New England put together.

They have gotten to know each other by playing in club pro tournaments in Florida and other locations in the country. That is how they have become friends, along with the fact that both are sponsored by TaylorMade and Nike.

Warren, who has qualified three times for the PGA, understands the significance of Block’s 2023 PGA score of 70-70-70-71—281. And he realizes that while this relatively unheard-of club pro’s stunning finish gives him a spot in the 2024 PGA, the fourth-round hole-in-one recorded by him has put Block on the map of many PGA Tour fans. That feat and the resulting acclaim will follow Block the remainder of his professional golf life.

“It was a big deal that he made the cut,” Warren said, “because that is the goal of all of us (club pros) who qualify for the PGA.”

It was an even greater accomplishment to have recorded an ace during the final round of what already was an historic tournament for a club pro.

Past New England PGA president Ron Bibeau, who has been a Maine golf pro for many years, was impressed with the Block PGA finish, stating: “Oh my goodness. It was fantastic. He was great.”

Yes, Block was great, but his accomplishments were even more important, because they have become an inspiration to club pros throughout the land, and especially to a player like Maine’s Shawn Warren.

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At Belgrade Lakes on May 21, two area teams finished in the top 10 among 28 groups at the Maine State Golf Association Team Championship.

Tied for third was the Fox Ridge foursome of Craig Chapman, James Frost, Jordan Joes and Ben Refert ($126), which earned them $350 in pro shop prize money. Tied for seventh was the Martindale team of Kelly Cates, Len Cole, Matthew Ouellette and Jace Pearson (138).

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The MSGA’s upcoming schedule for men is the May 30 Senior Club Team Championship at Waterville, along with Mid-Amateur play June 3-4 at Point Sebago. Women’s Play Days are May 29-30 at Springbrook.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 11th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.