PGA Professional Mitch Runge, Head Professional, and Shane Prante, Assistant Professional from The Home Course in DuPont, WA, clinched victory in the PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship by a mere stroke. Their collective prowess culminated in an impressive 17-under par four-ball score over the two-day tournament, held on March 18-19, 2024.
Basking in spring sunshine and enjoying temperatures ranging from the high 50s to the lower 60s, players were treated to optimal conditions for a riveting competition at beautiful Tacoma Country & Golf Club.
Mitch Runge previously won the championship in 2022 alongside Assistant Professional John Cassidy. Shane Prante brings his own winning history to the table, having secured victory in the same event back in 2017, partnering with Head Professional Mike Fosnick.
The team hailing from Oswego Lake Country Club in Lake Oswego, OR, led by Director of Instruction Scott Erdmann and Assistant Professional Brady Sharp, secured second place honors.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our esteemed sponsors. We extend our gratitude to Farmers Insurance – Jared Bouchey Agency, our title sponsor for the third consecutive year. Additionally, we warmly welcome back Sally Schmitz representing Bushnell Golf and Bryan Dickson of Sterling Cut Glass. We are proud to introduce Jake Sowby from Titleist and Jake Gordon, Zac Keener and Dathan Wong from Noteefy as our presenting sponsors. We are equally appreciative of the continued support from Matt Pollitt and Les Veres of PTE Golf, and Patrick Coughlin and Mitch Bourgault of GT Golf Supplies, serving as supporting sponsors.
The PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship is a testament to the camaraderie and skill displayed by golf professionals. This two-man team competition pairs a head golf professional with their assistant golf professional, engaging in a four-ball format that showcases their collective talent and strategic acumen on the course.
History of the Championship
In 1992, the Pacific Northwest Pro-Assistant Championship began with an exciting showdown between Progress Downs’ Jerry Minor and Ralph West and Royal Oaks’ Steve Bowen and Michael Wilkerson, stretching to an intense seven-hole sudden-death playoff at Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Despite both teams firing remarkable 14-under scores, the playoff remained deadlocked as birdie putts stubbornly refused to find the cup. Fast forward to 1995, where the dynamic duo of Scott Williams and Mike Barnett from Redwood Golf Center etched their names into history books, setting an enduring tournament record with a blistering 18-under 126 at McCormick Woods GC, securing victory by a commanding three-stroke margin.
Since its inception, this championship has become a beacon of camaraderie between Head Professionals and their Assistants, earning its place as one of the most cherished events in the Pacific Northwest Section PGA calendar. Notable moments continued to shape its legacy, such as in 2008 when Head PGA Professional Steve Prugh and his Assistant Corey Prugh etched their names in history as the first father-son duo to seize the coveted title, further cementing the tournament’s rich history and significance.
The spotlight on Big Cedar got brighter in 2020 when Payne’s Valley, the first public access course designed by Tiger Woods, opened. Described as the 19th Wonder of the World, the course is a tribute to the late Payne Stewart, who hails from the area. The course integrates the rugged terrain of the Ozarks with strategic elements that test every golfer.
From the moment golfers set foot on the first tee, they’re immersed in a golfing experience unlike any other. The wide fairways and strategic bunkering challenge players of all skill levels, while the undulating greens demand precision and finesse on every putt.
It’s hard to believe that Big Cedar has more golf to offer on top of the three championship courses, but it’s true. The resort sports a top notch practice facility – located at Ozark National – that gives players the opportunity to hone their games before and after their rounds of golf. For those looking to play more golf without heading out for a full 18 holes, Big Cedar has two options: The Top of the Rock Golf Course and Mountain Top Golf Course. The former is a Jack Nicklaus par three course and home to Arnie’s Barn, a 150-year-old barn relocated from Arnold Palmer’s home in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and full of memorabilia from his historic career. The latter course was designed by Gary Player and sits atop the rock formation at the high point of the property. The 13-hole short course plays up and down and has some of the most challenging greens on the property.
Two elegant finishes are available in this wedge line with a system of bounce and grind variations to suit different shot characteristics and wedge-swing styles. The chrome finish model features Honma’s unique and proven-popular double milling pattern on the face which holds and controls the golf ball and “bites” even on short finesse shots for optimal spin performance. The sophisticated brushed copper finish contributes to improved feel, reduced glare, rust prevention, and a unique visual appeal. Prices start at $209 for chrome, and $229 for copper.
For golfers, the first thing you think of when Scottsdale comes up is the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the wildest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule. It turns out that Scottsdale is so much more than that!
It doesn’t stop there, though. While everyone at the company is great at what they do with lodging, what they really love is golf. There’s not a course in the area that they haven’t played. The company’s longevity means the courses know who they are and treat their clients like kings.
Meridian also knows that sometimes you need to get away from the course and find something to do. The company offers a range of activities including guided hiking tours, spa treatments, adventure tours, and food and beverage experiences.
After making tags for family friends, Reed was asked to make tags for the 2021 Vegas World Amateur tournament. Those first tags were simple wooden plaques which turned out well. After that, Reed started working with leather.
“I’ve been blessed, really blessed and those friendships came about in totally different ways,” said Mechem. “I met Jack back in 1970 and we’ve been good friends ever since. Arnie I met when I was the LPGA Commissioner and we were very close for 25 or 30 years until he passed away. It’s no exaggeration to say that I’ve never known any two men I respected or cared more for.” 
“I’m really happy with the way the book turned out,” added Mechem. “I miss Arnie every day, but I’m so happy I still talk with Jack. I’m happy I have such a good memory and writing this book brought back a lot of great feelings.”
In the words of its inventor, Steven Schnobrich, the Bogey Bag was born out of his own frustrating stretch of golf. “I was joking with my uncle that we’d love to have a punching bag on the golf course so we had something to take our anger out on. So I started coming up with an idea that was barely functional beyond a few good punches.”
“Sales skyrocketed after that share,” said Schnobrich. “We went through 30 percent of our inventory in no time. The question is whether or not we can sustain that traction.”