PNW Assistant Championship/2017

Berg Captures his Second PNW Assistant PGA Title

by Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

Fifty-three assistants and apprentices battled in the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at Willamette Valley CC in Canby, OR with the hopes of representing the Pacific Northwest Section in Florida in November. The 41st National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship will be held at the famed PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker course.

With only three spots up for grabs, the field knew that a well-executed 36 holes of golf would be needed to see their name atop the leaderboard and also earn a coveted spot to Florida in November. The morning round was a 7:30 am shotgun. 2014 champion Ryan Malby (Iron Horse GC) got off to an early lead after posting a 5-under par 67. Trailing close behind was Tim Feenstra (Broadmoor GC), Jared Lambert (Eagle Crest Resort), Mitch Runge (Tacoma C&GC) and 2011 Champion Derek Berg (Sahalee CC) in at 69.

After a short break and re-pairing for the final round, the players headed out for the second and final round in the hot temperatures.

“My strategy remained the same all day. I felt good about what I was doing and feeling, and felt like a low number was out there based on the conditions. If I could just eliminate the mistakes I made in the morning round, I would have a great chance at the end of the day,” responded Berg when asked how he felt going into the second round two shots back of the leader. The cards ultimately fell in his direction as he shot a final round 65 which gave him a five shot victory.

“It always feels good to get a win. I have had a few chances this year to win and have not played well enough to get it done. I was glad to finally finish off an event,” Berg expressed after his winning performance.

Along with Berg, Justin Wiles (Reames G&CC) and Tim Feenstra finished second and third respectively ̶ will represent the Pacific Northwest Section at the National Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Congratulations to these three gentlemen! We wish them the best of luck when they compete in Florida, November 9-12.

We would like to thank National Car Rental, Cleveland Golf and Srixon for sponsoring this event. Another thank you goes out to Head PGA Professional John Grothe and Willamette Valley CC and his staff for the accommodations and exceptional golf course.