PGA's Michael Block Celebrated As Hometown Hero In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Mission Viejo golf pro turned PGA golfer will be acknowledged this week for his work both at home and representing the city as the newest Hometown Hero.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chamber, 200 Civic Center where Council Members will recognize resident Michael Block with the City’s Hometown Hero Award.

The award is designed to identify and recognize folks whose noble qualities and personal achievements make them heroes worthy of our admiration.

"Michael has certainly garnered the admiration of many throughout the nation when he made history at the May 2023 PGA Championship with a hole-in-one during the final round," a spokesperson for the city said.

Block, 46, is a PGA club pro and instructor at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club and became the first PGA club pro to make a hole-in-one at the PGA Championship since George Bowman in 1996. On that day, he played with Rory McIlroy and earned a prize of $288,333 according to the tour. He also has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship.

He finished the tournament in a tie for 15th place at 1-over par to the delight of the Arroyo Trabuco fans present at the club to cheer on his tournament.

During that fateful hole-in-one shot, Block seemed amazed, asking "Did it go in? Did it go in?" followed by "No way. No way. Did it really go in?"

He has also been

Back home, a room full of club members watching the final round of the tourney cheered him on with a resounding chant of "Blockie! Blockie!"

He has made the cut five times while competing in 25 PGA events dating back 16 years, including making a "miraculous birdie" on the 15th hole in 2018.

Block's PGA Championship hole-in-one is also nominated for a "Best Play" ESPY award for 2023.

Southern California golfer Phil Mickelson spoke of Block's hole-in-one shot at the PGA Oak Hill Championship, saying: "What a PGA championship at Oak Hill. The course, setup, crowds, and volunteers were the absolute best. What an inspiring play by Brooks to win his 3rd and 5th major. Michael Block stealing the hearts of all golf fans with his performance and mind-blowing hole-in-one. Amazing week."