Polland Captures Third Straight RMSPGA Professional Championship
Polland and four fellow professionals earn berths to the 2027 PGA Professional Championship after 36-hole test at The Valley Club
HAILEY, Idaho — Ben Polland, PGA, Golf Director at Shooting Star, captured the 2026 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Professional Championship, completed Wednesday on the South and North courses at The Valley Club in Hailey, Idaho. Polland, already exempt into the 2027 PGA Professional Championship field, was joined by four fellow professionals who earned berths to the national championship at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Florida, April 25-28, 2027.
Polland was in command from the opening tee shot, carding a 7-under 65 in the first round and adding a 6-under 66 in the second for a 36-hole total of 131, 13 under par. The eight-stroke victory in the stroke-play test completed a rare three-peat, making Polland the Section’s back-to-back-to-back champion.
Loren Jeglum, PGA, Director of Instruction at Topgolf, and Justin Snelling, PGA, Assistant Professional at Boise Ranch Golf Course, tied for second at 5-under 139. Jeglum posted rounds of 69 and 70, while Snelling opened with a 6-under 66 before a second-round 73. Katie Somers, PGA, Director of Instruction at Hillcrest Country Club, and Chris Lien, PGA, Assistant Professional at Yellowstone Country Club, filled out the qualifying positions at 3-under 141. Somers closed with a 69 after an opening 72, and Lien followed a 69 with a 72.
Ben Bryson, PGA Head Golf Professional at RedHawk Golf Course, earned first alternate honors at 2-under 142, defeating Preston Otte, PGA on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Otte, Director of Golf at Bronze Buffalo Ranch, was second alternate at 142. Fred Sutton, PGA of Northwest Nazarene University followed as third alternate at 1-under 143, and Lance Rieber, PGA, Golf Instructor at Warm Springs Golf Club, claimed the fourth alternate position at even-par 144.
The Rocky Mountain Section PGA extends its special thanks to Jake Hanson, PGA, Golf Director at The Valley Club, and his staff, and to Jason Sigmond, Superintendent, and his grounds staff, for the spectacular course conditions and their outstanding hospitality throughout the championship.
