To work in golf it helps to love golf. Black Butte Ranch’s staff certainly proves that rule, with a staff filled with players who truly love competing against the best golfers from around the Pacific Northwest.
Four members of Black Butte Ranch’s golf staff competed this week in the 2017 Oregon Open Invitational, which ended Thursday and is among the major championships each year in the PGA of America’s Pacific Northwest Section. Two made the 36-hole cut at a windy and wild Juniper Golf Club, in a loaded Oregon Open field of more than 190 professionals and amateurs.
Caleb Taskinen, an amateur and Black Butte Ranch’s assistant superintendent, was particularly impressive. Taskinen finished the 54-hole tournament at 5 over par, which landed him in a tie for 25th place overall and the sixth-lowest amateur.
This continues a string of fantastic golf for Taskinen, who advanced into match play at the 2016 Open Amateur Championship at Glaze Meadow.
George Mack Jr., Black Butte Ranch’s director of golf instruction, finished in the money, too. Mack finished at 10 over and in a tie for 48th place. Mack, the 1990 Oregon Amateur champion and a former player on the Nike Tour (now the Web.com Tour), is accustomed to playing well in Pacific Northwest PGA events. He dominated the 2015 Pacific Northwest Section PGA Senior Championship en route to his only appearance in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
Jeff Fought, Black Butte Ranch’s director of golf, and Tom Baker, head pro at Black Butte Ranch also competed in the Oregon Open.
Black Butte Ranch’s staff of golf professionals can help any golfer play better, no matter the skill level. For more information on how to take a lesson from Jeff, George, Tom, or any of our Black Butte Ranch instructors, visit blackbutteranch.com/golf/lessons-and-instructions.