SMITH & POLLAND and EMPEY & HAMBLIN REPEAT in 2023 TAYLORMADE RMSPGA PRO-PRO SHOOTOUT
54 Holes was just not enough to decide the 2023 RMSPGA TaylorMade Pro-Pro Shootout supported by JC Golf Accessories, Bushnell Golf, Dynamic Brands, New Balance, ROLEX and The PGA TOUR. Two teams put together an incredible display of scoring going 29-under-par to make it to the extra session. In the end, the team of Ben Polland and Spencer Smith, both PGA Professionals from Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, capped off their stellar rounds of 59-64-64=187, with a par on the first playoff hole to take the winner’s share. Alone in second place was the PGA Professional duo of Loren Jeglum from TOPGOLF in Boise, Idaho, and Lance Rieber from Warm Springs Golf Course also in Boise. Brett Kleinkopf from Hillcrest CC in Boise, Idaho, and his partner Travis Hofland from Pebble Ponds GC in Twin Falls, Idaho, finished 2 shots behind for a solo 3rd place finish.
Spencer Smith & Ben Polland
On the Senior side, low scores were also the norm. Longtime partners and multiple time past winners of this event, PGA Professionals Mike Hamblin, from Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls, Idaho, and his partner Jim Empey, from Quail Hollow Golf Club in Boise, Idaho, swallowed the title with brilliant rounds of 62-64-64=190 and a 26-under-par total. They finished 2 shots clear of the PGA Professional team of Tad Holloway from TimberStone GC in Caldwell, Idaho, and his partner Steve Meyerhoeffer from Twin Falls (Idaho) Municipal GC.
Jim Empey / TaylorMade representative John Johnson / Mike Hamblin
The first two rounds of the 54-hole Shootout were played on Monday, May 22nd, and the formats were a Scramble followed by Four-Ball Stroke Play. The final round concluded on Tuesday, May 23rd, and the format was Modified Alternate Shot. 49 two-person professional teams competed in regular and senior divisions from the Rocky Mountain Section PGA for a purse of $25,400. This year’s venue was Sand Creek Golf Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
The Rocky Mountain Section PGA would like to thank John Johnson, Territory Sales Manager of TaylorMade for the Title sponsorship. Appreciation is also extended to supporting sponsors Bushnell Golf representative Charley Carlson, Chris Jenkins from JC Golf Accessories, Mike Langley from Dynamic Brands and New Balance, ROLEX and The PGA TOUR for supporting this event. The Rocky Mountain PGA sincerely thanks host PGA Professional John Graham, his always hospitable staff, and the city of Idaho Falls for hosting the championship.
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