Senior Oregon Open/2023

Malby Wins Back-to-Back Senior Oregon Open Titles

By: Grant Tribolet, Tournament Intern

The 21st annual Senior Oregon Open took place at the Wildhorse Resort Golf Club and the Golf Course at Birch Creek and was an excellent host to our full field of 300 players. A hidden desert oasis, the two courses provided an exciting event that crowned a more than worthy champion. PGA Professional Ryan Malby of Kalispell, Montana, won the 2023 Senior Oregon Open Championship for the second year in a row with a three-day total of -15 201.

The championship commenced on August 1st, and the players were ecstatic to hit the ground running. The players started hot as low rounds came in spades. After round one, PGA Professional of Awbrey Glen Golf Club Tim Fraley fired a first-round 66 at Birch Creek and grabbed on to a one-shot lead over amateurs Erik Hanson of Sahalee Country Club and Pendleton local Joe Reyes of Birch Creek. But business was being handled on Wildhorse as defending champion PGA Professional Ryan Malby fired a first-round 68 and sat two shots off the lead.

Round two was a different story as the defending champion took a significant step towards retaining his title, posting a seven-under 65 and taking a four-shot lead. A confident player, the Kalispell, Montana Professional enjoyed the test of the two different courses and even felt at home on one of them. “I love the feel of Birch Creek. You Definitely have to place tee shots in more specific locations on several holes to really be able to attack certain pin locations. The shapes and undulations can certainly put you in awkward places if you are a bit off. To me, Birch Creek really has a Montana feel to it as well!”

That four-shot lead carried over into round three as Ryan Malby secured his victory and won the Senior Oregon Open for the second year in a row. His first win of the season, Ryan’s game was not up to his standards until a few good rounds at the Rosaeurs Open Invitational put him in a good rhythm that helped him “peak at the right time.”

When asked about the excitement of round three, this is what Ryan Malby had to say: “There were no nerves in round 3. Playing with three of my really good friends helps too. I just wanted to get off to a good start and kind of maintain then. Birdies at 2, 3, and 5 really took care of that. Just focused on rhythmic swings and fairways and greens from there.”

“The win was certainly special. I certainly missed not having [my wife] Lisa there with me for the final days, but having my pro/am team supporting me and having Jon Lowry caddy the final round and Jose Chirino and Chuck Eble watching and cheering was amazing. I just really love the feel and camaraderie of the Senior Oregon Open.” Congratulations to Ryan Malby on his spectacular back-to-back victory!

During the championship, a pro-am competition was held concurrently. Teams consisted of one PGA Professional and three amateurs. The team led by PGA Professional Jason Lehtola of Whitetail Golf Course, along with the amateurs Sean Hauser, Brad Dantic, and John Velk, who all represent Whitetail Golf Course, won the two-day team competition with a two-day total 36-under par 252.

We want to thank Wild Horse Resort and Casino for their 21 years of continued support in hosting this event. Special thanks go to PGA Director of Golf Professional Mike Hegarty and his golf operations staff, Superintendent Sean Hoolehan and his grounds crew, and head PGA Professional Ryan Dahl of The GC at Birch Creek and his team.

Final results: https://2023secsroregonopen.golfgenius.com/