Young Moab golfer dominates field of 180 to win Hideout Amateur
by Jeff Simon
Hideout Golf Club
PGA Professional
It was a win for the ages. Well, it was a win at least for the younger ages. Wyatt Toney, a 17-year-old from Moab, convincingly claimed the championship at the Hideout Amateur on Sunday, July 30.
His even-par round of 72 on Sunday, which was preceded by a round of 68 on Saturday, gave him a huge 12-stroke victory in the tournament. After a little bit of a shaky start on Sunday, Toney settled in and dominated the field of 108 golfers.
The tournament included close to 50 golfers from Page and Flagstaff, AZ as well as many golfers from Utah County. Other states represented were New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas.
“I had a little bit of a slow start,” Toney said of his Sunday round. “I was patient and then got better on the back nine.” So dominant was Toney that his victory was by double digits.
Texan Mark Bates was second with rounds of 73 and 79. Joe Ligon and Nick Cosper, both from Arizona, tied for third at 154.
Paul Norman, who won the Amateur last year and plays out of Hobble Creek Golf Course in Utah County, was in the running for the title after a first round 72. But a second-day 83 put him in a tie for fifth.
If the Hideout didn’t already have the reputation as one of Utah’s most challenging golf courses, it should now. Only four golfers were able to shoot 79 or better on Sunday.
Toney, who won the Moab Amateur last year as a 16-year-old, had bogeys on two of his first four holes Sunday and headed towards the back nine at 2-over-par 38.
His round got much better with a birdie on the par-5 13th hole and an eagle on the par-5 14th hole. After a monstrous drive he hit a short iron onto the green to about 17 feet and made the putt for a three. Toney’s back nine 34 was easily the best score of the day on the final nine holes.
“After that I was pretty calm,” Toney said. “I just told myself not to make any big mistakes.” Toney started the final round with a four-stroke lead after a first-round score of 4-under-par 68. That round included five birdies and only one bogey.
Flight winners on Sunday include Joe Rukavina of Colorado, Kent Packard of Utah County, and Eve Ligon who plays out of Lake Powell National in Page, AZ.
The net winner in the first of four flights was Brandon Powell of Farmington, NM. Emilio Aguayo of Price and Kirby Erickson tied for first in the second flight.
There was a three-way tie for first place in the third flight with Montyne Anderson, Dave Kahl, and Blanding’s Lehi Lacy. The fourth flight was won by Don Colcord of Nucla, CO. He plays out of the Hideout.
On Friday, the annual best-ball shootout was held with Paul Norman and Josh Andreasen shooting an 8-under-par 64 for a six-stroke victory over Jared Fry and Josh Seow. Andreasen was on point Friday as he had a stretch where he made birdie on 12 and followed that up with eagles on 13 and 14.
Locally, Marx Powell of Bluff and his son Brandon won the second flight. In the fourth flight, Monticello’s Dennis Crane with his son Dexter were the gross winners.
Nathan Chamberlain and his daughter Cambree easily won the net division. During the Shootout, Nick Cosper of Flagstaff made his second career hole-in-one on #11. He hit a 9-iron from 154 yards.
The final junior golf clinic of the year is set for this coming Monday through Wednesday, August 7-9 from 10 a.m. until noon each day. Kids ages 7-15 are welcome to sign up by calling the pro shop at 435-298-8120.
At 9 a.m. on September 2, the Founders Tournament will be held to celebrate the folks who helped bring golf to Monticello. The format is a four-person scramble. Cost is $70 per player and lunch will be served.