Author: by Aaron Goodman
Our very own Zach Johnson of Farmington, Utah has had a phenomenal year. His latest triumph: winning the Utah PGA Professional Section Championship! The Section Championship is the final Player of the Year points event of the season. Zach came in trailing 5-time winner, Chris Moody and 2-time defending Player of the Year, Tommy Sharp in the season-long points race. Johnson held his destiny in his own hands as an outright win of the tournament would net his first Omega Utah PGA Player of the Year award. Johnson did just that at Toana Vista Golf Course, with rounds of 64 and 65, finishing at -15. He finished 4 shots ahead of the nearest competitor, Joe Summerhays, 7 shots better than Tele Wightman, and 9 shots better than Moody, Sharp, and Casey Fowles who all finished at T4. These top 6, along with previously exempt Steve Schneiter, will represent Utah next spring at the PGA Professional Championship at Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Leading up to his win at the Section Championship and aggressively asserting his claim as the Utah PGA Omega Player of the Year, “our†Zach Johnson had already stacked up quite a few impressive accolades:
–Finished in the Top Ten 9 times in Section events and Affiliated Opens
–Tied for 12th and was the low Section Pro in the Siegfried & Jensen Utah Open
–Tied for 12th in the PGA Professional Championship at Bayonet and Blackhorse in Seaside, CA
–Earned an exemption to play in the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in Creve Coeur, MO.
Johnson’s locker at the PGA Championship was right next to the “other†Zach Johnson’s and they each met their namesake. While “our†Zach Johnson missed the cut, he did post an impressive 69 in Round 2. Clearly “our†Zach Johnson is a good golfer, but he is an even better person. The “other†Zach Johnson told reporters that “our†Johnson is “a super nice guy†and “he has better hair.â€
The Utah PGA Section Championship is truly an awesome event thanks to our local sponsors: Gary Lewis and the Peppermill Resorts! Not only do they set-up hotel accommodations for every player, volunteer and tournament staff member, but they add $30,000.00 in prize money plus another $1,000.00 to the Par 3 contest. The Par 3 contest has become an instant sensation! Played from the “Little Vista” Tees, the 9-hole event is a fun way to kick off the Section Championship. The best part is that the winners are awarded cash money at the meetings. Chris Moody, Eric Nielsen, Casey Fowles, and Zach Johnson tied for the win at -2 and stuffed their pockets with $330 each. 6 others at -1 added $100 to their wallets.
Bruce Summerhays won the Super Senior Division shooting 72-68–140 and Brad Stone won the Senior Division with rounds of 70-72–142. Congratulations to Zach Johnson on his spectacular season and thank you to our sponsors!