PNW Pro-Assistant Championship/2018

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By Molly Cooper, PGA Director of Tournament and Member Programs

The duo of Head PGA Professional Darren Black and Assistant PGA Professional Brad Faller of Rainier G&CC won the PNW Pro-Assistant Championship at Willamette Valley CC. They won by four strokes over The Home Course team led by PGA Director of Golf Justin Gravatt and Assistant Professional Shane Prante, as well as a second team from Rainier G&CC consisting of Head PGA Darren Black and Assistant Professional Brandon Mohl.

Going into the final round, Black and Faller fired a first round score of 9-under par 63. This put them in a two-stroke lead over Columbia Edgewater CC’s team of PGA Director of Golf Bryan Tunstill and Assistant Professional Kyler Beebehiser.

“I won’t attempt to describe how honored I am to win the PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship with my boss, my college teammate, and great friend! Thank you, immensely, to all the sponsors that have supported our PGA of America events, my career, and this incredible game of golf,” Faller reflected on the win.

“It always feels great to win any Championship, but to share the experience with an Assistant Professional is truly exceptional. It is about the team unity as Rainier employees and the members love it!” said Black.

Rainier G&CC has a history with the PNW Pro-Assistant Championship. In 2016, Black won the event at Tualatin CC with longtime baseball player Uriel Jimenez.

“That was his first win in the sport of golf, so it was a remarkable feeling witnessing that and being a part of it. This time with Brad, it is truly an honor. We have known each other for a long time… and it feels amazing to win a championship with a dear friend,” Black responded when asked how the wins compared.

Willamette Valley Country Club boasts one of the most highly respected 18-hole championship golf courses in Oregon. The club and Section staff set up a diverse set of hole locations that were highlighted by impeccable course conditioning nearly unseen in this part of the country, this time of year. When asked how the course showcased their strengths in the best ball competition, Faller remarked on their teamwork.

“I had so much confidence in Darren when he got into a good scoring position. He took advantage of every good birdie opportunity he had. When he came through with a birdie, I’d respond on the following hole with one too. Great best ball recipe to success. He’s one of the most naturally talented golfers I’ve ever played with, especially in competition. He made me play better, just like he did when we were teammates at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho.”

Darren added that where he struggled with the par 3’s, Brad excelled. “They were the majority of my bogeys, but Brad was able to make par easily and a couple birdies as well.”

“Our team dynamic is very good; we are all pretty sarcastic with each other and it keeps us laughing most of the time,” said Darren, noting that the Pro-Assistant Championship is a great team bonding experience and “a chance for Head Professionals to spend time away from work with our team and, in a way, give back to them. They work hard for us all year and this event gives us a chance to say thank you to them for all their hard work.”

For their victory, Black and Faller earned $2,750 and the title of 2018 PNW Pro-Assistant Champions. In addition to their first place check, Sally Schmitz gave both men a Bushnell new rangefinder and hat. Also, all participants received a Cutter & Buck shirt from Bryan Dickson and a pair of Strideline socks with their golf course logo on it.

Our thanks to Sally Schmitz of Bushnell, Bryan Dickson of Cutter & Buck, Kelly Coleman and Riley Goodman of Strideline, Matt Pollitt of PTE Golf, and David Nelson and Andrew Workman of Hole-In-One Insurance for their support. A special thanks to host Head PGA Professional John Grothe and his staff – especially to superintendent Larry Raschko and his crew for a fantastic golf course.

Final results: https://2018secproassistant.golfgenius.com/pages/1138791