Jared Jones Embraces the Grind to Capture First SOPGA Section Championship
Jared Jones loves the grind of golf. The practice, the pressure, and the demands that challenge even the best in the world, let alone players who balance competition with day jobs. The ability to embrace that challenge is a skill in itself, and Jones, from Scioto Country Club, showcased it in full at the 80th Southern Ohio PGA Section Championship. On a day of ups and downs, he strung together nine straight pars to secure his first Southern Ohio PGA Section title by one stroke over Michael Auterson.
“It’s part of the experience in a Section Championship,” said Jones following his one shot victory over Auterson. “You’re always on the edge and you’re trying to play for pars. Pars are always good.”
Pars weren’t just good, they were gold in stretches. Miami Valley Golf Club played firm, fast and, at times, unforgiving. Run outs on approach shots put a premium on ball-striking and scrambling. Players weren’t just in tussle with themselves, the site of the 1957 PGA Championship was also going to have its say, as perhaps a quiet throwback to that mid-century major. The venue demanded full focus from start to finish, a requirement never more evident than the tournament’s final hole.
The final group featured Andy Montgomery, Jones and Auterson, with the latter two tied for the lead standing on the 18th tee. Both players hit their tee shots into the fairway bunker that sits directly in the middle of the 18th fairway and neither player hit the green with their approaches. Jones hit his short left, Auterson short right.
Auterson’s pitch ran 15 feet beyond the hole, opening the door for Jones to potentially set the table for an easier up and down. He took advantage, hitting a low, skipping chip that settled inside four feet below the hole. Auterson’s par putt went begging and Jones calmly completed the up-and-down to take the victory.
“You always want to compete to win and have a chance to get something up and down to win a tournament,” said Jones. “That’s why you work hard and put in the time to improve.”
That final group came out of the gates red hot. They collectively played the par-5 first hole four under par, with Auterson making eagle on his opening hole. Jones matched that hot start with birdies on four of his first holes. It was game on from the word go, the perfect competitive tone for the marquee tournament on the SOPGA calendar.
“It’s always a goal to get back to the national [PGA Professional Championship]. It’s something I appreciate,” said Jones. “This tournament is one everyone circles on their calendar so you want to gear your game up to make sure you’re playing your best at the right time.”
The lead changed hands four times in the final round, with Jones, Auterson, and 2023 champion Ben Kern all holding the top spot at one point. Kern stood on the 12th tee with the lead but sent his drive out of bounds, resulting in a double bogey. He would finish in a tie for second.
Auterson’s bogey on the last hole of the tournament was a brutal moment in a season of near-misses. It’s his seventh T3 or better finish in 2025 and the second time he’s watched Jones grab a win from second place.
Both Jones and Auterson earned spots in the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, joining Kern, Dan Sorgini, Chase Wilson, and Chris Muse. Bob Sowards, already exempt from his PPC victory, will also compete after finishing in a tie for seventh with Perry Wydman and Alex Martin. Martin is also the first alternate qualifier. Andy Montgomery rounded out the top ten.
FINAL RESULTS: Southern Ohio PGA
2025 SOPGA Professional Championship
Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton
Mon, Aug 11 – Tue, Aug 12, 2025
Blue Golf Hole-by-Hole Results >
1 Jared Jones, Scioto Country Club 71 – 69 – 69 = 209 $6,000.00
T2 Ben Kern, Hickory Hills Golf Club 69 – 71 – 70 = 210 $3,350.00
T2 Michael Auterson, Hickory Woods Golf Course 71 – 68 – 71 = 210 $3,350.00
T4 Daniel Sorgini, Blacklick Woods Hills 70 – 72 – 71 = 213 $1,750.00
T4 Chase Wilson, Columbus Country Club 67 – 74 – 72 = 213 $1,750.00
6 Chris Muse, Hickory Hills Golf Club 67 – 77 – 70 = 214 $1,430.00
T7 Bob Sowards, Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club 75 – 70 – 71 = 216 $1,270.00
T7 Perry Wydman, Miami Valley Golf Association 70 – 73 – 73 = 216 $1,270.00
T7 Alex Martin, Golfweek Junior Tour 68 – 73 – 75 = 216 $1,270.00
10 Andy Montgomery, Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club 69 – 71 – 77 = 217 $1,170.00
11 Kyler Booher, Miami Shores Golf Course 76 – 71 – 71 = 218 $1,100.00
T12 Jon Balyeat, Kenwood Country Club 73 – 73 – 73 = 219 $960.00
T12 Joe Moore, Beavercreek Golf Club 71 – 75 – 73 = 219 $960.00
14 Trent Kopala, GOLFTEC – Dublin 76 – 74 – 70 = 220 $850.00
15 Dave Bahr, Maketewah Country Club 74 – 72 – 76 = 222 $820.00
16 Richard Denny, Jamaica Run Golf Club 74 – 73 – 76 = 223 $770.00
T17 Matt Brewer, Cincinnati Country Club 77 – 74 – 74 = 225 $725.00
T17 Melissa Yeazell, Tri County Golf Ranch 73 – 72 – 80 = 225 $725.00
T19 Sam Arnold, Vineyard Golf Course 76 – 75 – 75 = 226 $655.00
T19 Taylor Suggs, Heritage Club 74 – 77 – 75 = 226 $655.00
21 Casey Lewis, Sycamore Creek Country Club 72 – 78 – 77 = 227 $600.00
T22 Dan Halley, GOLFTEC – Dublin 75 – 77 – 76 = 228 $453.00
T22 Tim Krapfel, Golf Galaxy – Dublin 75 – 78 – 75 = 228 $453.00
T22 Corey Weckerling, Moraine Country Club 74 – 76 – 78 = 228 $453.00
25 Mike Thomas, Sharon Woods Golf Course 75 – 74 – 80 = 229 $390.00
T26 Edgar Leano, NCR Country Club- South Course 77 – 76 – 77 = 230 $335.00
T26 Brian Jones, Kenwood Country Club 73 – 78 – 79 = 230 $335.00
28 Chad Ammer, Maketewah Country Club 72 – 80 – 79 = 231 $280.00
29 Aaron Hart, Coldstream Country Club 74 – 78 – 86 = 238 $270.00
