Monthly Archives: November 2024

Utah’s PGA Jr. League All-Stars delivered another big splash on two levels in 2024.

Having coached a team with some of the same players to a national championship in a younger age group three years ago, Thanksgiving Point’s Tele Wightman sensed another title was coming in the 17u finals in November at Twin Warriors GC in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

But then No. 1 seed New York pulled away to a 5.5-3.5 victory. “We played really great in the finals and there were times when I thought we had it won,” Wightman said. “We played great but they were just a little bit better.”

Team members included Blake Brown, Ryder Huish, Jace Benson, Mack Herzog, D’Adiddas Notoa and Jordan Ofahengaue. Utah, the No. 2 seed, defeated Virginia 6.5-2.5 in the semifinals.

In the Regional event at Prineville, Oregon, Thanksgiving Point’s No. 1 17u team had beaten the in-state opponent Glenmoor Goats in the semifinals and then topped Meadow Springs CC of Washington.

Thanksgiving Point’s 13u team finished third in its National Championship, staged in October at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch West in Texas. Drew Wilson and Emery Johnson each made a hole-in-one as Utah earned the No. 2 seed before losing 6-5.-5.5 to Florida in the semifinals. Utah then topped Virginia 8.5-3.5 for third place.

Other team members included Jraice Finau, Cove Cummings, Luke Manning, Nicklaus Miller, Logan Wilde and Crue Harward. PGA Tour player Tony Finau assisted Wightman.

Feature written by Fairways Media senior writer Kurt Kragthorpe.

The season-ending Pro-Assistants Championship took place Nov. 11-12 at The Ledges Golf Club and Sunbrook Golf Course in St. George. Known for its competitive spirit with trophies, titles, and prize money on the line, the event also offers a welcome break for PGA Professionals and their teams, providing an opportunity to unwind together away from daily grind.

“The Pro-Assistant Championship is a culmination of the season and a celebration of hard work,” said Executive Director Devin Dehlin. “It’s a chance to head down to St. George and enjoy some downtime with staff. It’s like an annual reward, where everyone can relax but still compete. We are especially grateful this year to Chad Pettingill (The Ledges) and Reed McArthur (Sunbrook) for hosting the championship, as well as to sponsors Highland Golf, Johnnie-O, and Sand Hollow Resort for their support.”

For the first time, the 36-hole tournament was played on both courses over both days, increasing the field and allowing for faster play, with rounds wrapping up in about four and a half hours. Participants also enjoyed a Monday Night Football gathering with pizza and drinks at the Marriott Courtyard following the opening round.

“The Monday Night Football Social has been a staple for over a decade,” Dehlin added. “It’s a laid-back setting for professionals to catch up and celebrate their season’s successes and challenges. With around 100 attendees, it’s a key time for bonding, and having our sponsors present helps reinforce their commitment to future events.”

In the popular two-man team Four-Ball format, where General Managers, Directors of Golf, or Head Professionals pair with fellow staff members, the possibility of a tie often looms, particularly for teams from the same facility. This year’s championship produced just that, with Davis County’s Director of Golf Dustin Volk teaming up with both Head Professionals Zach Johnson from Davis Park and Pete Stone from Valley View, leading to a unique tie with both teams finishing at a score of (-15) 129.

“First of all, I’m grateful for good partners,” Volk said of Johnson and Stone. “Those two guys are really good and even more so they’re my best friends. To me personally, it was fitting to have both teams tie and share it with them. But, I bet if you ask them, they wish it was one shot different for them.”

Team Volk/Johnson led after a (-11) 61 opening round at The Ledges GC, while Volk/Stone closed the gap with a final-round (-7) 65 at Sunbrook GC. Johnson said, “It’s always enjoyable to spend time away from work with Dustin. Competing as a team is great, though ending in a tie isn’t ideal. But co-champing with Dustin on both teams made sense, letting us hit the road a bit sooner.”

Stone added, “Tying with Zach was a little bittersweet—the competitor in me wanted a playoff. But with everyone eager to get home, ending it in a tie felt right. Maybe it even makes for a better story.”

All three have won the Pro-Assistants Championship in the past with Pete’s father, retired PGA Professional Brad Stone, who was the longtime Head Pro at Davis Park. Pete Stone reflected, “Dustin and Zach each won several times with Brad, so winning together for the first time since his retirement is pretty special.”

“Dustin and I go way back to our amateur days,” Pete continued. “We’ve won the Wendover Four-Ball and the Section Match Play Championship, but this is our first Pro-Assistants win together, which is really satisfying.”

Kory Woodland, The Barn Golf Club owner and Head Professional, and his Assistant Braydon Swapp, finished tied for third at (-11) 133, along with defending champions Mark Owen and Dustin Pimm of Mountain View Golf Course. Six teams tied for fifth at (-10) 134.

In the NET division, Rick Allison and Jeremy Green took top honors with a score of (-16) 128 (62-66), while four teams finished a shot behind, tied for second.

The win by Volk, Johnson and Stone puts a cap on the Utah PGA championship season that saw Volk win the Section Championship in September. When asked if he’s looking forward to the 2025 season Volk said, “Those that know me the best know that I will have plenty of activities this winter. But I’m definitely looking forward to 2025.”

Click here for complete results of the 2024 Pro-Assistant Championship.

PGA Master Professional Don Rea Jr. was elected the 44th President of the PGA of America Nov. 7th at the Association’s 108th Annual Meeting at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rea will serve a two-year term, representing the more than 31,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals.

Utah PGA Executive Director Devin Dehlin said, “Don Rea will be an outstanding president. His passion and energy will take us to new heights.”

Succeeding Rea as Vice President is Nathan Charnes, PGA, the General Manager and Director of Golf of WingHaven Country Club in O’Fallon, Missouri, and a member of the Gateway PGA Section. Eric Eshleman, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Birmingham in Alabama, and a Member of the Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section was elected the new PGA of America Secretary.

Utah’s Cedar Ridge Golf Course PGA Professional Jared Barnes was a candidate for the new Secretary position and waged a very impressive campaign. 

“We couldn’t be more proud of Jared and the way he represented himself and the Utah PGA during his campaign,” Dehlin said. “It was fun to see a PGA Professional from Utah make such a huge impact on the national level.”

The Utah Section has seen first hand the energy and devotion for PGA Professionals exhibited by both Don Rea and Nathan Charnes as both have attended Utah PGA Annual Meetings in St. George. We look forward to working along side Eric Shleman as he begins his term. Eshleman, a member of the PGA of America for nearly 30-years, received the 2019 national PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Member.