Breaking 100: Walt Jeffress Competes in 100th PGA TOUR Champions Pro-Am at the Chubb Classic
By Doug Milne
NAPLES, Fla. - The first time breaking 100 on a golf course is a special day one never forgets.
When Fairfax, VA’s Walt Jeffress teed it up in this week’s Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO pro-am, he knew for a fact that he’d be breaking 100.
He was right, and it was celebrated. His special number, though, isn’t exactly heading in the same direction as to what the “break 100” term typically applies to.
On Wednesday of this week’s Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, Jeffress played in his 101st PGA TOUR-sanctioned pro-am.
While there aren’t official records to measure such feats as this, chances are, 100-to-1 odds favor him as leader.
Technically, the Virginia attorney reached his 100th pro-am at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai last month. His first-ever pro-am – the 1999 Kemper Open - was a PGA TOUR event. That made Wednesday’s Chubb Classic his 100th PGA TOUR Champions pro-am.
“It has been an honor to participate in these outstanding events, which support so many great causes and charities,” said Walt Jeffress.
Accompanied by his very understanding and go-with-the-flow wife, Suellen, Walt was honored for Wednesday’s milestone with a cake and new golf bag.
Former PGA TOUR Champions member Bobby Wadkins, a friend from their home course, began taking Walt to Champs Tour events. It was then when he learned a lot about the charitable nature of PGA TOUR Champions.
Rather than take something away from these pro-ams, Walt’s interest lied – and still lies – entirely in giving back.
“After being recognized several years ago for hitting 50 pro-ams, I just kept playing,” he laughed. “I would start to find out more and more of all that was behind them…who and what were benefitting from the efforts of these professionals, pro-ams and tournaments. I decided I wanted to be a part of it. I had no idea I’d one day hit 100. But, here we are.”
And, by “here,” he was referring to his 15th Chubb Classic pro-am and 100th on PGA TOUR Champions.
One of the most often-asked questions in the midst of all this is with regard to what his wife, Suellen, thinks of all this.
“I’ve been to quite a number of them with him,” Suellen said. “He loves it. It’s great. He was having a great time. He truly established himself with the pro-ams around the country. I would join him when I could, because I found them to be such fun, too.”
While the couple doesn’t have kids of their own, they brag at every opportunity about a host of nieces and nephews. Walt and Suellen also remain very involved with a number of charity and philanthropic projects.
“I believe everyone needs to find something, maybe not exactly this, but something that helps give their life greater meaning,” Walt said. “It’s important to have something besides just getting up and going to work every day. Find people to connect with who have a greater focus and do more good than you do. Become a part of something like that. So much of the funds raised from these pro-ams go to local causes where the events are being contested. It’s just a nice feeling to know I’m a little part of those great successes tournaments like the Chubb Classic is creating this week.”
Now, a glance at Walt’s scorecard through the 2025 Chubb Classic:
PGA TOUR pro-ams - 1
PGA TOUR Champions pro-ams - 100
Most pro-ams, same event - 34 SAS Championship
Second-most, same event - 28 Chubb Classic
Outright team wins - 15
Most pro-ams with same player - 5 Bobby Wadkins (includes 2016 Chubb Classic)
So, now that he has officially broken 100, the question begs: is there an end in sight?
“Well, we’re here and never thought we’d make it this far,” Walt said, smiling at Suellen. “So, who knows. We’ll just keep going…until we can’t.”
