Former Utah Section PGA President Chris Stover and Wasatch Pro Joe Barton teamed up and went low in the 2021 Utah PGA Spring Pro-Pro at Ogden Golf & Country Club April 20th to win with a Four-Ball score of (-8) 64.
Not only did they win the championship but they claimed the second seed in the 2021 Utah PGA Four-Ball Championship, behind 2020 champs Chris Moody and Mark Owen of Riverside Country Club and Mountain View Golf Course, who automatically claimed the top seed.
“I’ve been working really hard at it for years,” Barton said of his first professional win. “But to get it done with Chris was really fun. Everything just came together and to start the season with a 65 and a win, feels really good.”
Barton shot a (-7) 65 on his own ball, a new tournament personal record for the PGA associate.
“I can remember coaching Joe in high School at Manti while I was the Head Professional at Palisade,” Stover said. “Joe was so good yesterday that I kind of felt like I was coaching him again versus being his playing partner.
“It was a fun way to end my time as his boss at Wasatch, and just like yesterday on the course, the student has become the teacher. Joe has a bright future in golf and I’m proud of him!”
Davis County Director of Golf Dustin Volk and Valley View Head Pro Pete Stone tied for second place at (-6) 66 with Palisade Head Pro Jordan Van Orman and Sunset View Head Pro Casey Fowles.
Immediately following the completion of the Spring Pro-Pro, the first round of the season-long Four-Ball Championship began. The top 32 teams of the morning round advanced to match play.
Stover and Barton continued their hot play with a 5 & 4 win over Lynn Landgren and Brad Stone in the round of 32.
Number-one seed Owen and Moody also advanced to the round of 16 with a 5 & 4 win over Nate Olson and Tyler St Jeor.
Thank you to Bob Wallis, Craig Sarlo and the Ogden Golf & Country Club staff for hosting the Section membership for the day and thank you to Charley Carlson of JC Golf Accessories for sponsoring the event and supporting the Utah PGA.