How can something you can feel, but cannot see, affect what you’re doing in such dramatic ways? The wind… The practice round at the 2023 Rocky Mountain PGA Professional/Section Championship was absolutely loaded with birdies and players wondering how low they would have to go to take home the title… and then the aforementioned wind. Only one was left standing at the end, firing brilliant rounds of 70-71=141 for a -3 finish and a 6-shot victory. Congratulations to Spencer Smith, PGA Assistant Professional at Shooting Star of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, our 2023 champion.
Finishing in a tie for second place was PGA Head Professional Griff Jayne from the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana, and Nathan Ferrell, PGA Head Professional at Targhee Village Golf Course in Alta, Wyoming. Their 3-over-par totals of 147 were one clear of 4th place finisher, Northwest Nazarene’s Golf Coach Fred Sutton, PGA, from Nampa, Idaho. These four have now qualified to play in the PGA Professional Championship next April in Frisco, Texas, the new home of the PGA of America.
The 2023 Rocky Mountain PGA Professional/Section Championship presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial, and Rolex with supporting partners Gallagher, Golf Channel, PGA TOUR, and supported by Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, Nike and TaylorMade, was contested on August 29-30 at Bronze Buffalo Ranch at Teton Springs in Victor, Idaho. The Section wishes to thank all of our sponsors, including attending sponsors Steve Lenett from Titleist, John Johnson from TaylorMade, and Brian Howes from Callaway. We also must acknowledge our ever so gracious host PGA Professional Preston Otte, his staff, and the members from Bronze Buffalo Ranch for truly wonderful conditions and their mountain hospitality.
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