Next week, Cold Spring Harbor’s Chris Gabriele won’t be watching stars like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka from behind the ropes — he’ll be inside them, competing alongside the best golfers in the world at the PGA Championship in Pennsylvania.
For the 30-year-old Long Islander, it’s a moment that he says still hasn’t sunk in yet.
“It’s an absolute dream come true,” Gabriele, the first-year head professional at Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, told Greater Long Island. “I really don’t know how it’s going to feel on the course next week. I’ve been to a major as a spectator, and I watched them all compete at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but it’s crazy to think that I’m going to be on the other side of the ropes now with them.
“My mindset going in is that this is all gravy.”
Gabriele earned his spot in the field through a grueling qualifying process at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in remote southwest Bandon, Oregon. Just getting there was a journey — a cross-country flight into Portland followed by a 4.5-hour drive — and then the test itself was even tougher.
A total of 312 PGA professionals teed it up over four rounds in windy conditions, with only the top 20 advancing to the PGA Championship. Gabriele finished tied for 10th, securing his place in the major and becoming the only Long Island golfer to qualify this year.
“This year there was less pressure on me than in years past because of my new role,” he said. “This was my fourth time trying to qualify, but this time my mind was freed up and I just let it fly.”
The timing made it even more remarkable.
Gabriele was hired as head pro at Old Westbury in early March, taking on a position that demands long hours and constant attention — from managing the pro shop and giving lessons to building a staff ahead of the busy season.
“I haven’t really touched my clubs since I started because I’ve been so busy,” he said. “Between the shop, lessons, getting my staff together and the not so great weather, there hasn’t been much time for me to play.”
But for now, playing golf becomes the main focus again, at least for a couple of weeks.
The PGA Championship is at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Penn, where Gabriele plans to arrive early for multiple practice rounds ahead of the tournament. Among the possibilities he’s hoping for is playing a round with Cam Young, the PGA Tour star from Westchester he grew up playing golf with.
“I worked for his dad at Sleepy Hollow Country Club when I was younger,” said Gabriele. “We texted when he won The Players Championship in March, now I just hope our schedules can allign.”
The first round of the PGA Championship tees off May 14.
“I’m going to give it my best, but there’s a learning curve,” he said. “It’s just very exciting.”
Top: Chris Gabriele earned his spot in the field through a grueling qualifying process at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in remote southwest Bandon, Oregon (Credit: Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America, courtesy)
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