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By Randy Dodson, Fairways Media
A week of golf, leadership, and camaraderie set the tone for the Utah PGA season ahead.
Each winter the Utah Section PGA gathers in St. George, UT for a few days that have come to define the organization’s culture as much as its competition. The annual retreat, anchored by the Winter Classic Championship, Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting, is part kickoff, part reunion, and part roadmap for the year ahead. Supported by Utah PGA partners RMT/EZGO, Truwear, Oakley and CMC Design, this year’s event once again blended tournament play with professional development, recognition, and a confirmation of what makes the Section one of the most respected in the country.
Competition set the tone. The RMT/EZGO Winter Classic, contested at Coral Canyon Golf Course and Sand Hollow Resort in Stableford scoring format, drew another deep field of professionals eager to test their games and shake off the offseason. Nibley Park teaching professional and PGA Associate Hayden Banz delivered the performance of the week, opening with a remarkable 52 point round that set a commanding pace and ultimately secured his first Section title. In the women’s division, Section newcomer Ali Mulhall added another win to her growing résumé, while several veteran players reminded everyone that experience is key in Section events. As always, the golf itself mattered, but the conversations each day carried equal weight.
Those conversations took center stage at the Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting, where the Section paused to recognize excellence across the state. The two get-togethers balanced celebration with reflection, honoring achievements while reinforcing a shared responsibility to mentor the next generation. Glenwild’s Marty Bauer, the 2025 Professional of the Year, exemplifies that philosophy through his leadership and commitment to developing assistants and associates. The presence of past award recipients in attendance underscored the continuity of leadership that has defined the Utah Section for decades. The traditional group photo of the Utah PGA Professionals of the Year in attendance, joined by this year’s honoree, became a fitting highlight to close the Awards Banquet.
Perhaps the most forward looking theme of the week and a highlight of the Annual Meeting was mentorship. Young professionals such as Assistant Pro Kameron Kotroba, the 2025 Utah PGA Professional Development award winner, are reshaping how the Section supports those entering the PGA of America pathway. The Utah PGA’s mentoring initiative, already gaining national attention, grew from a simple observation that most golf professionals succeed because someone invested in them first. The program pairs experienced Section professionals with associates navigating the demanding program, helping them balance full time responsibilities with education and program requirements. For a profession built on apprenticeship, it is a natural evolution that formalizes what has long happened informally.
Utah Golf Radio host Paul Pugmire, who contributed to the week’s storytelling and coverage, captured the spirit well during conversations with Section members and Winter Classic champions. The message repeated throughout the retreat was simple. The Utah Section cares about its people. Whether it is helping a young assistant complete the program, supporting players seeking competitive opportunities, or recognizing a lifetime of service, the organization views itself as a professional family. That sense of belonging continues to attract new members in record numbers while retaining Section veteran leaders who remain eager to give back.
The Annual Meeting closed the retreat with updates on initiatives, championships, and priorities for the coming season. Discussions ranged from tournament growth and education programs to outreach efforts that strengthen the game across the state. With strong sponsor support and an engaged membership, the outlook for the year ahead appears steady and optimistic. A move of the Section Championship to Logan Country Club was highlighted.
When the final handshakes were exchanged, trophies presented and members headed home, the significance of the St. George retreat was clear. It is not simply a winter gathering. It is where the Utah Section PGA reconnects with its purpose, celebrates its people, and ensures that the next generation of professionals is prepared to lead. If the conversations and commitments made during the week are any indication, the Section’s future is in capable hands.
