Author: Jesse Dodson
Chris Moody, assistant professional at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah, completed the hat trick in the 2018 National Car Rental Utah Assistant Championship at Hobble Creek GC and Jeremy Ranch G&CC July 18-19 by winning for the third year in a row.
Moody started the tournament by firing a 7-under 64 at Hobble Creek GC in Springville; he played the last 10 holes 6-under par with an eagle.
“I drove the ball really well this past week,” Moody said. “I never found myself in trouble so that takes a lot of stress off the game.”
His even-par 72 was enough to seal the deal at Jeremy Ranch G&CC for the second round, but he needed a strong finish to make it happen. Moody birdied three of his last five holes to ensure a six-stroke victory and another exemption into the 42nd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship played at the Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida November 15-18.
“It’s always an honor to win the Assistants Championship,” Moody said. “We have a number of great players in our section, so to finish on top you have to be on top of your game. At the beginning of the year it is always a goal of mine to get back to play in the National Assistants Championship. It is always fun to go back to Florida to test my game against the top players in the nation.
“It has been so fun to have my son Noah by my side during my rounds,” Moody continued. “He is always so positive and keeps me in the right frame of mind. I truly believe he is a big reason for my good play, so I like to include him in the pics!”
Seokwon Jeon, who competed in this year’s Web.com Utah Championship, came in second with a one-under, two-day total. Zach Johnson shot a 4-under 68 at Jeremy Ranch to tie for third with Dalton Stanger. Moody, Jeon and Johnson all qualified for the 2018 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship.
Moody’s win provided a small cushion at the top of the Omega Utah Section Player of the Year list with Tommy Sharp in second, Matt Baird in third and Zach Johnson sitting in fourth. The second half of the season should provide some exciting results for the Player of the Year award.
Thank you to Hobble Creek GC, and Jeremy Ranch G&CC for playing host this year. Both courses provided plenty of excitement for the 2018 Utah Assistant Championship.
Omega Player of the Year point list HERE