Northwest Open/2022
Moody Wins Northwest Open Invitational in Playoff
By Cameron McCauley, PNW PGA Tournament Intern
The Northwest Open Invitational has a storied history and boasts an impressive roster of champions. Since 1901, it has been contested at a variety of golf courses in the Pacific Northwest. This year, 157 PGA Professionals and amateurs competed for the title at The Home Course on the Puget Sound while taking in pleasing views of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. The site offered a course in exceptional shape and some unpredictable weather for the competitors.
The tournament began on the morning of Monday, May 16, partly cloudy with temperature around 55 degrees. Amateur Dalton Dean from Everett G&CC came out firing a 63, 9-under. Just behind him were amateur Graham Moody of Royal Oaks CC with a 67 and PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC firing a 68.
The morning of round three was completely different from the previous two days, with the temperature in the low 50’s and gusts of wind as high as 30 mph with rain. As the leaders began to tee off, the weather began to lighten with a steady breeze in the afternoon and a slight drizzle of rain. Moody was not put off by the conditions, however, stating, “It is important to understand that everyone you are competing against is battling the same conditions, so I try to keep a positive and optimistic attitude. Growing up I enjoyed the added challenge that bad weather provided, and I feel this has prepared me for rounds like this.”
Graham Moody fired a 71 in the final round, which put him into a playoff with Jeff Coston. In the end, Moody came out on top to claim the Northwest Open Title, with scores of 67-67-71-205, 11-under for the week.
“I have played the Home Course in many events throughout my junior golf career, so it was a course I felt very comfortable with,” stated Moody. “Arriving on property the first day of the event, it was clear that the maintenance crews had done an incredible job getting the course in championship shape. I feel that short game is one of my strengths, and to play that course very well the best way to separate yourself from the field is to chip and putt very well.”
“The Northwest Open has a very long history of elite golf in the Pacific Northwest, so to have my name on the trophy with names like Fred Couples is very cool,” Moody added. “Any time you get to compete with the best golfers in the area it is a great opportunity, and I am grateful to have come out with a win.”
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA would like to thank The Home Course for their hospitality and support of our championship this year. Special thanks to PGA General Manager Justin Gravatt, PGA Head Professional Mitch Runge, and all their staff for a fantastic week. We are proud to have the support of our sponsors Tagmarshal, the City of DuPont, Club Car, and the PGA Tour. We look forward to returning to The Home Course for the 2023 Northwest Open Invitational.
Final results: https://2022secnorthwestopen.golfgenius.com