BRYSON & SOMERS and EMPEY & HAMBLIN ARE 2025 TAYLORMADE RMSPGA PRO-PRO SHOOTOUT CHAMPIONS
Winter has a way of making Spring golf interesting. You just never know how a course is going to wake up from its dormant and chilly slumber. This year, we were blessed… Pinecrest Golf Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho, was in excellent condition and so were our champions of the 54-hole 2025 TaylorMade RMSPGA Pro-Pro Shootout presented by Levelwear, and supported by Bushnell Golf, JC Golf Accessories, Sterling Cut Glass, StrackaLine, Maui Jim, ROLEX and The PGA TOUR. In the end, PGA Head Professional Ben Bryson, from RedHawk Golf Course in Nampa, Idaho, and his bride, Katie Somers, PGA Director of Instruction at River Birch Golf Course in Star, Idaho, dominated the event with truly special rounds of 64-57-66=187. Their 23-under-par total was 4-shots clear of second place finishers Renzi Lee, PGA Head Professional at Lake Hills Golf Club in Billings, Montana, with his assistant professional Liam O’Halloran.
On the Senior side, dominance was also the order of the day. PGA Director of Instruction Jim Empey, from The Valley Club in Sun Valley, Idaho, with his longtime teammate Mike Hamblin, PGA Head Professional at Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls, Idaho, won the event for the 422nd time (The truth is, they have won this event so many times, we have all lost count…). Their rounds of 66-64-65=195 and a 15-under-par finish barely squeaked them past PGA Professional defending champions Tad Holloway from TimberStone GC in Caldwell, Idaho, and his partner Steve Meyerhoeffer from Twin Falls (Idaho) Municipal GC who were alone in second place 7-shots off the lead.
The first two rounds of the 54-hole Shootout were played on Monday, May 19th, and the formats were Four-Ball Stroke Play followed by a Scramble. The final round concluded on Tuesday, May 20th, and the format was Modified Alternate Shot. 47 two-person professional teams competed in regular and senior divisions from the Rocky Mountain Section PGA for a purse of $27,000.
The Rocky Mountain Section PGA would like to sincerely thank John Johnson, Territory Sales Manager of TaylorMade for the Title sponsorship. Appreciation is also extended to presenting sponsor Levelwear and sales representative Andy Hollister, PGA. Thanks to our supporting sponsors Bushnell Golf representative Charley Carlson, Maui Jim, StrackaLine, Sterling Cut Glass, JC Golf Accessories, ROLEX and The PGA TOUR for supporting this event. The Rocky Mountain PGA sincerely thanks host PGA Professional Sean Thomsen, his always hospitable staff, and the city of Idaho Falls for hosting the championship.