The U.S. Senior Open Local Qualifier was held on Wednesday at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, and two members of the Utah PGA advanced to the Final Qualifying, and are now just one step away from playing in a major. Ryan Kartchner (Reef Captial/Black Desert Resort) and Mark Owen (Mountain View GC) both shot 2-over par 74 to claim two of nine spots available. And both are excited about getting there.

This is the second time Kartchner, 52, has tried to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open. Last year, he went to Newport, CA to try to qualify. 

“I got there the day before and played 9-holes in a practice round,” he said. “The next day in the tournament, I played those 9-holes in 1-under par. But I played the other 9-holes in 7-over.”

This year, Kartchner has been playing more, and felt like his game was in a good enough place to make it through the Local Qualifying.

“My new job has allowed me to practice and play more. I’ve been hitting my driver well, and I thought if I could just hit fairways and greens today, I would have a chance.”

That chance almost slipped away on hole 12, when he hit a 3-wood off the tee and it found the water, leading to a double bogey. He hit a hybrid off the next tee, found the right side hazard and ended up with a triple bogey. But he bounced back with birdies on the next two holes and parred out to punch his ticket to the next round.

For the 56 year old Owen, the Local Qualifier almost didn’t happen. 

“I was thinking about withdrawing,” he said. “My back has been giving me fits. I got out of work later than I wanted and traffic was a mess. My tee time was 9:30, and I got there at 9:15. The two guys I was supposed to play with both withdrew, so I was a single. I thought about leaving, but they said they would get me a marker and I could catch up to the next group, so I decided to play 9-holes and see how I felt.”

He felt well enough to shoot 1-under on the front nine, with eight pars and one birdie.

“We played the front nine in less than two hours, then it took us another hour just to play 10 and 11. I got frustrated and bogeyed 12 and 13, but birdied the par 5 14th.”

He was one over for his round with an 8-inch putt for par on 18. He missed it, and thought that 2-over was not going to get him in.

“They told me to hang around because I might be in a playoff. We were getting ready to head to the first playoff hole when a guy in the last group 5-putted 18, and suddenly all of us at 2-over were in.”

Now Owen and Kartchner are one good round away from reaching a goal that both of them have – playing in a major.

“I’ve never played in a Tour event,” said Ryan. “It would be a great reward to all the hard work I’ve put in lately. I feel like if I hit it at the Final Qualifying like I did today, I’ll get in.”

“That’s the one thing I have yet to accomplish in my career,” said Owen. “Making it to the U.S Senior Open and playing in a major is something to look forward to.”

The United States Senior Open Championship will be contested at The Broadmoor (East Course) in Colorado Springs, Colo. June 26-29, 2025. Final Qualifying will take place between May 19-June 2, 2025. 

Good luck, fellas!

Feature written by ABC 4 Sports Anchor, Wesley Ruff. Click here for final results.

Dustin Volk, Director of Golf for Davis County and reigning Utah PGA Section Champion, will headline a strong group of Utah PGA Members competing in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship, held April 27–30 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Volk, a three-time winner of the Utah Section Championship, will be making his seventh appearance in the prestigious national event. “It’s been a few years since I’ve played in it,” he said. “It’s an honor, and I’m looking forward to turning it into a family vacation again.”

Volk will be joined by eight fellow Utah Section PGA Members who earned their spots through the 2024 Section Championship qualifying: Dustin Pimm, Zach Johnson, Joe Summerhays, Chris Moody, Tommy Sharp and Todd Tanner. Together, they represent another outstanding contingent the Utah Section has sent to the PGA Professional Championship.

Utah PGA legend Steve Schneiter, the 1995 PGA Professional Champion, will also be a part of the field, bringing veteran experience and national championship pedigree to this year’s group of Utah PGA representatives. 

The PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex, is the premier event for PGA of America club professionals, with a 312-player field representing all 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Golf Channel will provide coverage of the championship, which is contested on both the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses at PGA Golf Club.

At stake: a spot in the field of the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The national champion and the top 20 finishers will earn places on the Corebridge Financial Team and tee it up alongside the world’s best at the second major of the year.

The Championship will offer a $750,000 purse and $66,700 to the Champion. A 36-hole cut will take place Monday to the low 90 scorers and ties, and a 54-hole cut Tuesday to the low 70 scorers and ties.

Also worth noting is the return of Jordan Gibbs, former head professional at Bonneville Golf Course. Soon to be serving as Director of Instruction at Salt Lake Country Club, Gibbs, who has been Golden, CO the last few years, qualified for the PPC through the Colorado Section.

With a mix of seasoned veterans the Utah Section PGA will be well-represented on the national stage this April. Click here for parings, tee times and scoring.

Utah Tech sophomore KJ Ofahengaue is set to compete as an individual in the 38th PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, where a coveted Korn Ferry Tour exemption will be on the line. The championship, widely regarded as the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, will take place May 5-7 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

The 54-hole stroke play championship conducted by the PGA of America, features 27 teams and 45 individuals from NCAA Division I and II men’s programs representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other minority serving institutions. A Women’s Division will also compete, with an exemption into an Epson Tour event up for grabs. Golf Channel will provide live coverage of the championship.

Ofahengaue will be vying for one of the top three (and ties) positions, which would allow him to apply for a sponsor exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open, scheduled for June 19-22.

Coming off a strong freshman season at Utah Tech, Ofahengaue played in 10 team events for the Trailblazers, capped by a T7 finish at the WAC Championship. He also earned All-WAC Academic honors.

The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (formerly known as the National Minority College Championship) originated at a meeting in November 1986, following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament. The founders’ goal was to elevate the game at minority colleges and universities by providing student-athletes with the opportunity to compete on a championship stage during an era when they were excluded from playing in many collegiate golf events.

The inaugural Championship was conducted in the spring of 1987 at Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland. Since 1998, PGA Golf Club has hosted the Championship, and in 2006 the PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the Championship by the National Minority College Golf Scholarship Fund. In 2019, PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) foundation of the PGA of America, assumed ownership of the Championship from the PGA of America.

With participation at an all-time high, Utah Section PGA Members kicked off northern Utah’s competitive season in full force at the Spring Pro-Pro and Four-Ball Championship seeding tournaments. Hosted at Valley View and Bountiful Ridge golf courses, the dual-site event showcased mid-season play and plenty of low scores. Special thanks to tournament sponsor Charley Carlson and host PGA Professionals Pete Stone (Valley View) and Kent McComb (Bountiful Ridge) for their support and hospitality.

At Valley View, home-course advantage paid off as Stone teamed up with Davis County Director of Golf Dustin Volk (photo above) to fire a sizzling 12-under 60, capturing the Spring Pro-Pro title at their host venue. Their bogey-free performance earned them the No. 3 seed and a first round bye in the Round of 64 for the Four-Ball Championship at Davis Park Golf Course. Full Scores from Valley View

Over at Bountiful Ridge, the team of Chris Marx (Eagle Mountain GC) and Chase Hansen (Utah Golf Association) caught fire on the back nine with the duo carding eight birdies overall, including five over the final six holes, to post an 8-under 63 and claim the crystal trophy. Marx and Hansen secured the No. 2 seed and a Round of 64 bye in the Four-Ball Championship opening bracket. Full Scores from Bountiful Ridge

The opening rounds of the Utah PGA Four-Ball Championship were played April 22nd at Davis Park Golf Course, where match play began with rounds of 64 and 32-team brackets. A big thanks goes to host PGA Professional Zach Johnson and his staff for setting the stage.

The road to the Four-Ball title continues with the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals on May 29th at The Ranches Golf Course, with the Semifinals and Championship Match set for June 25th at the stunning Wohali Club Eagle Course near Park City. Follow the Match Play Bracket

For three young Utah golfers, this Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club will be unlike any other. Nicklaus Miller, Logan Wilde, and Blake Brown have earned their spots in the 11th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, an annual competition that brings the country’s top junior golfers to the famed course on the eve of the 89th Masters Tournament.

Miller, Wilde, and Brown secured their invitations by excelling through 2024 local, sub-regional, and regional qualifiers, proving their skill under pressure. Now, they’ll take their game to Augusta National in a test of power, precision, and touch, competing in their respective age divisions against the nation’s best.

“We’re thrilled to see our Blake, Logan and Nicklaus compete at Augusta,” Utah PGA Executive Director Devin Dehlin said. “Utah has a strong history of representation and success at the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals, and I’m confident these juniors will continue that tradition.”

Blake (Boys 14-15), Logan (Boys 10-11) and Nicklaus (Boys 12-13) qualified out of the Chambers Bay Regional held September 21, 2024. The top finishers from each region site’s age/gender divisions, a total of 80 finalists, earned a place in the National Finals. Utah’s local and sub-regional qualifiers are conducted by the Utah PGA with PGA Professionals providing support at each facility hosting a qualifier. 

For these rising stars, the experience extends beyond the competition itself. The chance to walk the grounds of Augusta National, interact with PGA TOUR professionals, and soak in the atmosphere of golf’s most iconic tournament is a dream come true.

The Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, showcasing the next generation of golfers as they compete on one of the sport’s grandest stages. Regardless of the final leaderboard, Miller, Wilde, and Brown will return home with memories to last a lifetime.

Utah PGA Assistant Executive Director Annie Fisher said, “We are excited to have Sue Nyhus, a distinguished competitor both nationally and in Utah, representing Utah women’s golf. This is a fantastic opportunity for Sue and the Utah Section PGA.”

Copper Rock Golf Club Press Release – Feb. 27, 2025

Dr. Sue Nyhus has played through a golfing path unique to her. She is the only player, female or male, to have qualified for and played in every USGA championship available to her. 

Beginning with the U.S. Junior Amater as a teen in Florida, Sue played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, The U.S. Women’s Open and all the team and state events. She was a finalist in the U.S. Amateur Public Links, and played in the Senior Women’s Amateur and the Senior Women’s Open. From high school phenom to being the cool grandma, Sue is the only one to have played in them all. 

Along the way she played for Brigham Young University, won the Utah Women’s State Amateur twice, the Utah Senior Women’s State Am three times and played on the Ladies European Tour. She earned a Ph. D. in Sports Psychology, coached at BYU and Utah Valley University, stared down and beat back cancer, and raised three daughters who are good players, great moms and still trying to beat her. And she’s the favorite player of all six of her grandkids. 

Sue put a bow on her incredible career when she was inducted into the Utah Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. She became a Class A member of the Utah Section PGA and is teaching at Willow Creek CC, Thanksgiving Point GC, and Hobble Creek GC. She’s still not done!

The Utah Section PGA celebrated its 2024 award winners in style at its Annual Awards banquet Feb. 11th, at the impressive Black Desert Resort hosted by ABC 4 Sports Anchor Wesley Ruff. The evening’s top honor went to Chris Moody of Riverside Country Club, who was named the 2024 Professional of the Year, adding another accolade to his distinguished career.

A historic moment came with Nyomy Obecema being recognized as the first-ever woman to earn the Utah PGA Assistant Professional of the Year award, highlighting the growing impact of women in Utah’s professional golf ranks.

The annual Winter Classic Championship faced an unexpected challenge from Mother Nature. Annually scheduled for 36 holes, the tournament was reduced to just 18 due to inclement final round weather. Despite the shortened format, champions were crowned in all divisions at Coral Canyon and Sand Hollow, showcasing the depth of talent within the Utah Section PGA. Tommy Sharp (Sand Hollow) and Todd Tanner (Coral Canyon) were crowned champions at each golf course. Click here for full results of all divisions from both golf courses.

Adding to the prestige of Winter Classic week in St. George, PGA of America Honorary President John Lindert was in attendance, addressing the Section alongside District 9 Director Cathy Mathews-Kane during the Annual Meeting. Their presence reinforced the Utah PGA’s standing within the broader PGA of America golf community, celebrating the professionals who continue to elevate the game at the local level. With another successful awards banquet and competitive Winter Classic in the books, the Utah PGA looks ahead to another year of growth and excellence.

PGA of America Honorary President John Lindert’s Message

After speaking at length during the Annual Meeting on topics such as the golf ball rollback study and the selection process of new PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague, Honorary President John Lindert’s message to the Utah PGA on Feb. 12 was one of pride, inspiration and encouragement.

Lindert reflected on the strength of the Section, the camaraderie among its members, and the deep sense of pride that defines Utah’s golf community.

Attending section meetings is something he values, and the Utah PGA stands out for its culture and strong connections. The Section’s members bring passion and dedication to the game, creating an environment that is both welcoming and unique. The Section culture shapes the way members interact, fostering a strong sense of unity that isn’t found everywhere.

“This is an interesting section,” Lindert said. “It’s a section that is built around the Section’s culture. You all have this outdoors-person kind of atmosphere, and you all get each other, and it’s really intriguing watching how everybody interacts. It’s not the same in every Section.”

Lindert emphasized the importance of taking pride in the work being done, both locally and on a national level. The Utah PGA’s representation, leadership, and contributions to the game are a testament to its strength. 

“Hold your head high and recognizing the impact of your efforts, it is essential,” he said, “not just within the Section, but in the broader golf community.”

Read more from Winter Classic week in the February issue of Utah PGA Monthly, click here.

During the 2025 PGA Show last week, PGA Jr. League Coaches took the stage Wednesday (Jan. 22) for the #GameChanger Awards ceremony emceed by NBC’s Lauren Thompson, celebrating their accomplishments in expanding opportunities for kids to learn and enjoy the game of golf.

For the second year-in-a-row, Darci Olsen, General Manager/PGA Professional at Glenmoor Golf Club was recognized for operating the largest PGA Jr. League program in the Utah Section. Olsen’s roster of 311 players was recognized as the 10th largest program in the country. 

The full list of 2024 #GameChanger Award recipients organized by category (25 largest programs in the country, largest program in each PGA of America Section and Player Engagement Award) can be found here.

Since its inception in 2019, the #GameChanger Awards celebrate PGA Jr. League Coaches who go above and beyond to grow the game. The awards honor the 25 largest PGA Jr. League programs in the country as well as the largest programs in each of the 41 PGA of America Sections.

“The #GameChanger Awards have become a yearly highlight for the PGA of America, applauding the incredible efforts of our Coaches to engage young players and make golf accessible to more families,” said Steve Tanner, Senior Director of Player Engagement for the PGA of America. “These Coaches are at the heart of providing impactful experiences that transcend golf, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements.”

As a golfer, Chris Moody had already accumulated a bunch of trophies and titles in the Utah Section PGA. His latest award hit differently. 

That’s because he earned this one without holding a club in his hands, or having a scorecard to provide a grade of his performance. The Section’s Professional of the Year Award is proof of his steady, day-after-day impact. So is the response he’s received from some Section members whom Moody barely knows, people he never imagined he was influencing or impressing during his two decades on the Riverside Country Club staff, including the last five years as Head Professional. 

Moody is a five-time Player of the Year in the Section. He was named the Assistant Professional of the Year in 2014 and was the Merchandiser of the Year (Private) in 2023.

The Professional of the Year award came just as Moody was turning 50, a natural opportunity to reflect on a life that he has mostly spent at Riverside, where his father, the late Robert Moody, was a longtime member and a club president. As with a lot of success stories, this one comes with a twist. 

Moody figured he was done with golf after chasing a playing career following his graduation from Utah State. He was working for AT&T, pitching long-distance phone plans (yes, those used to be a thing) to businesses and homeowners, when PGA Professional Robert McArthur called him “out of the blue” and asked if Moody would join him in the Riverside golf shop. “The phone call came right at the right time,” Moody said.

Moody describes McArthur as “my beacon,” in multiple ways. Connecting the dots in the Section’s award history creates an unmistakable thread. Eight members have been named both the Assistant Professional and Professional of the Year. Three worked for McArthur in Provo, in succession: Craig Norman, Kent McComb and Moody. 

McArthur “kind of sucked me back into the golf business,” Moody said. “He’s always been kind of a father figure to me. … He’s so personable, so good with people; he makes you feel important.”

In turn, Moody has become influential to others, beyond Riverside’s membership. Pro-am guests in the Siegfried & Jensen Utah Open have appreciated his welcome for the past 11 years. Former assistant Travis Byron recently became Alpine Country Club’s Head Professional. Three other assistants are working toward PGA membership. 

McArthur was named the Section’s Professional of the Year in 1989 and, among other honors, received the PGA Professional Development Award in 2014 and the Doug Vilven Distinguished Service Award in 2020. That’s a lot for Moody to live up to, and his peers say he’s succeeding. 

Feature written by Fairways Media senior writer Kurt Kragthorpe. Photography by Fairways Media.

With her poise and personality, onetime pageant contestant Nyomy Obcemea considered pursuing a career in modeling. In the golf business, she’s already a role model. 

The former Weber State golfer is the first female winner of the Utah Section PGA’s Assistant Professional of the Year award, a remarkable honor for a woman who “never, ever thought I was going to be working in the industry,” she said.

The award “really does warm my heart,” Obcemea said. “I’m just beyond words, honestly.”

And with that, she begins to tell a great story of how she joined the Ogden Golf & Country Club staff after working in marketing for a couple of post-college years. Encouraged by John Chevalier, a marketing client and former OG&CC board member, she somewhat half-heartedly went through an interview with PGA Professionals Craig Sarlo and Bob Wallis in 2016. 

Three months later, she called them back and asked if the position was still open. This time, she made quite an impression in the interview.  Within a few minutes, then-club president Mike Fisher said, “I’ve heard enough.” He told Wallis, “Now I know why you wanted to wait for her.”

Sarlo’s pitch to Obcemea was that someone with her marketing skills and ethnic background with parents from the Philippines would have a lot to offer to a diverse community of golfers. That has proven true, in her eight-plus years on the job. After quickly achieving Class A membership in the PGA, Obcemea went to work in building the club’s junior and women’s programs. 

“She has a wonderful feel for people and for the profession of golf,” Wallis said. “Everyone who knows Nyomy loves Nyomy, … It’s been fun to watch her grow and progress over the years as a professional.”

About 100 juniors now participate in summer lessons and a phase-in opportunity has rejuvenated the ladies’ league. And the rewards have come for Obcemea, whose first student was a 10-year-old boy dealing with bullying. He’s 18 now, and golf may have saved his life. A tattoo on Obcemea’s forearm preserves that experience, referencing a Bible verse about being put in position to do good. 

Having coached the girls golf team at her old school, Northridge High in Layton, Obcemea is launching the program next spring at West Field in Weber County. The team is a diverse group with more “rodeo girls” than longtime golfers, but she likes their potential. The same is true of women’s increasing impact within the Section and in the business overall. Two of her former Northridge players are pursuing careers in golf.

“It gives me a lot of hope,” Obcemea said. “A lot of women in the Section get to trailblaze for the next generation. It’s inspiring, because there’s more ways to get involved in golf than just playing.”

Feature written by Fairways Media senior writer Kurt Kragthorpe. Photo by Fairways Media