Meridian Valley's Brian Thornton Preps for Senior PGA Championship

The longtime PGA teaching pro qualifies for his first major tournament at age 51.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:40pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a golfer in mid-swing, with sharp planes of green, blue, and yellow representing the sport's dynamic motion and Thornton's lifelong journey to reach this major tournament.A cubist interpretation of a senior golfer's swing captures the competitive energy and lifetime dedication that has brought Brian Thornton to the Senior PGA Championship.Bradenton Today

Brian Thornton, a PGA teaching professional at Meridian Valley Country Club in Washington, has qualified for the 2026 Senior PGA Championship in Bradenton, Florida. Thornton, 51, has an extensive history of winning regional and local tournaments, and this will be his first major tournament appearance. He is excited for the opportunity to compete against golf legends like Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, and Vijay Singh.

Why it matters

Thornton's qualification for the Senior PGA Championship is a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport over the past two decades. His success resonates with the Meridian Valley community, who have rallied behind him with financial support to help cover the costs of competing in the major tournament.

The details

Thornton qualified for the Senior PGA Championship by finishing in the top six at the Pacific Northwest section qualifier last fall at the Seattle Golf Club. He then went on to finish ninth at the professional national tournament in Florida, earning one of the 35 spots in the Senior PGA Championship field. Thornton is known for his competitive mindset and is determined to perform well, despite being a bit starstruck at first by the golf legends he will be competing against.

  • Thornton qualified for the Senior PGA Championship last fall.
  • The 2026 Senior PGA Championship will take place April 16-19 in Bradenton, Florida.
  • Thornton will have three practice rounds and one full day of short game practice leading up to the tournament.

The players

Brian Thornton

A 51-year-old PGA teaching professional at Meridian Valley Country Club in Washington, who has qualified for his first major tournament at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship.

Ernie Els

A professional golfer who Thornton will be competing against at the Senior PGA Championship.

Jim Furyk

A professional golfer who Thornton will be competing against at the Senior PGA Championship.

Bernhard Langer

A professional golfer who Thornton will be competing against at the Senior PGA Championship.

Vijay Singh

A professional golfer who Thornton will be competing against at the Senior PGA Championship.

Steve Stricker

A professional golfer who Thornton will be competing against at the Senior PGA Championship.

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What they’re saying

“It's not the PGA Tour, obviously, but it is a couple clicks below. But the senior tour and champions tour is still high level.”

— Brian Thornton, PGA Teaching Professional

“I've had a pretty decent history of playing well, locally and regionally in our section for quite a while. I always saw myself being part of the equation, but you still have to bring your mindset.”

— Brian Thornton, PGA Teaching Professional

“I could always see myself doing it, I just wasn't sure when. It's really nice to see the fruition of all my hard work and lifetime journey of golf come to a head.”

— Brian Thornton, PGA Teaching Professional

“I'll have the selfies out, I'll be googly eyes for a minute. But come Wednesday, I am going to have to get selfish and get in the mindset that I am there to compete.”

— Brian Thornton, PGA Teaching Professional

“People always say, 'go and enjoy the experience,' and I get that. But I am also a competitor. I want to compete the best I can. It comes to bearing down and getting your mind set and getting focused at the job at hand.”

— Brian Thornton, PGA Teaching Professional

What’s next

Thornton will travel to Bradenton, Florida on April 11 to begin his preparations for the 2026 Senior PGA Championship, which runs from April 16-19.

The takeaway

Thornton's qualification for the Senior PGA Championship at age 51 is a testament to his lifelong dedication to the sport of golf. His success has inspired the Meridian Valley community, who have rallied behind him financially, and his competitive spirit will be on full display as he takes on some of the game's all-time greats.