Author: Jesse Dodson
The 2016 Senior PGA Professional Champion Steve Schneiter has gained some momentum heading into 2018’s Championship in October by claiming a win at this year’s Utah PGA Senior Section Championship hosted by Promontory Club’s Painted Valley Course August 29-30 in Park City, Utah.
With an opening round of 4-under 68 on one of Utah’s toughest courses, Schneiter expanded his one-shot lead over Henry White into an eight-stroke victory with a closing round of 74.
“I just tried to keep it out of the wind as much as possible,” Schneiter explained. “I hit it good; all-in-all I played great with the wind. The conditions were very difficult.”
The windy second round conditions proved a challenge, Schneiter shot a (+2) 74 but was the only one to stay under par for the tournament with two-day total (-2) 142.
Schneiter currently sits in third in the Omega Utah Section Senior Player of the Year race. His strong play and even-stronger motivation has him ready for the 2018 Senior PGA Professional Championship on October 25-28 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
“When I play in a tournament, I want to win. That’s my goal,” said Schneiter about October’s championship. “If I can’t have a chance to win, why go? Why show up? That’s just always been my drive, to win.”
The Oaks Golf Course Head Professional and current Omega Utah Section Senior Player of the Year race leader Ryan Rhees, was four strokes off the lead and tied for the last qualifying spot with a first-round 72. However, Rhees closed with a 78 on day two and finished in the runner-up spot to claim an exemption into the Senior PGA Professional Championship national event.
Henry White, Terry Outzen and James Blair also claimed exemptions into this year’s Senior Championship by coming in with two-day totals of 155 or better and will represent, alongside Schneiter and Rhees, the Utah Section in October in Florida.
The Nicklaus course provided a significant test and required full-attention on every shot in order to claim the national qualifying spots. Thank you to Utah Section President Ryan Kartchner and his Promontory staff for being generous hosts.