Northwest Open/2019

Berg Wins 3rd Northwest Open Title

By Tanner Montgomery, PGA, PNW Tournament Manager

Hidden in the rolling farmlands outside of Walla Walla, WA, Wine Valley Golf Club has hit the decade mark in hosting the Northwest Open. With giant windmills spinning in the distance, perhaps as a sign of what may come, 167 Professionals and amateurs took to the course with hopes of being able to hoist the trophy after the three-day tournament. In the end it was PGA Professional, Derek Berg of PNW Golf Academy who took home his 3rd Northwest Open Invitational Title with this his first as a PGA Professional.

The tournament began on the morning of Monday, August 19. With the winds cooperating through the first two days of play, there were plenty of good scores. PGA Professional Colin Inglis of Emerald Valley Golf Club shot a terrific 8-under par 64, which put him in the lead at the end of the first round.

The morning of day 3 felt a lot like the previous two days with the weather being ripe for low scores. This all changed as we headed into the afternoon play. With gusts up to 40 mph, competitors knew that keeping the ball down and making as many pars as possible would be the key to making a run at the championship. During the final round, Derek Berg did just that and was able to capture his third Northwest Open Invitational with a total score of 10-under par 68-78-70-206.

“It definitely made me adjust the game plan on a few holes, but you just have to suck it up and play,” Berg commented on the conditions. “I enjoy more difficult conditions or courses, compared to a birdie fest, because it makes par more meaningful. Wine Valley definitely turned into a difficult test very quickly on that last day.”

Knowing that Wine Valley is capable of throwing those kinds of winds at the players, being able to capitalize when the conditions are friendlier is extremely important. What Berg can do during those conditions is why he believes his game matches so well with Wine Valley. “I can hit it a fair distance and fairly high as well. Wine Valley gives you ample room off the tee so you’re able to let it go a bit more out there. Also, there are some hole locations that being able to get the ball in the air can help a bit too.”

We’d like to thank Wine Valley GC for hosting yet another Northwest Open Invitational. Thank you to host PGA Professional Chris Isaacson and his golf shop team, Superintendent Tyler Daniels and his grounds crew for the fantastic course. We look forward to returning to Wine Valley GC again for the 2020 Northwest Open Invitational!

Final results: https://2019secnorthwestopen.golfgenius.com/