Author: Jesse Dodson
Every year the Utah Section PGA Spring Pro-Pro signifies the beginning of the regular season, an opportunity to team up with a fellow professional and an excuse to get together as a Section for the Spring Section Meeting. Riverside Country Club Instructor Matt Baird and Thanksgiving Point Golf Club Director of Golf Tele Wightman teamed to shoot a (-12) 60 at Ogden Golf and Country Club April 8th to win the event.
With their team victory Baird and Wightman claimed the second seed going into the 2019 Utah Section PGA Four-Ball Championship played at Valley View Golf Course April 15-17th. Last year’s Four-Ball champions, Tracy Zobell and Ryan Rhees, will enjoy the number one seed.
“We really didn’t make any mistakes,” said Wightman. “It helped that with exception of a few holes, we were both in play and in pretty good shape. It helped that Matt was on fire for most of the round, too. I was able to contribute a couple birdies and an eagle towards the end as well.”
It’s common for the Pro-Pro winner’s card to be blemish free, but it’s hard to imagine much of a better card than what Wightman and Baird turned in with 10 birdies and an eagle.
“It definitely gives you a nice little boost,” Wightman said of the team’s momentum going into the Four-Ball Championship. “The Four-Ball tournament is a tough tourney to win; there are so many good teams. You really have to go low to win matches. We were able to make it to the semi-finals last year, hopefully we can make it a little further this year.”
Sun Hills Golf Course Head Professional Mike Bicker and Assistant Professional Chris Johnson won the net competition with a (-9) 63 and the help of two eagles on the card.
Two new associate members of the Utah Section, Sue Nyhus and Sadie Palmer, shot (-2) 70 to win the Women’s net and gross competitions.
“I love the Section team events,” Wightman said. “Most of the year we are always battling it out against each other individually. It’s nice once in a while to team up with friends and go compete.”
A big thank you to Ogden G & CC PGA Director of Operations Craig Sarlo and Head Professional Bob Wallis for hosting the Spring Pro-Pro and Spring Meeting.
For the Four-Ball Championship bracket, CLICK HERE.