By Kurt Kragthorpe, Fairways Media Senior Writer

Noah Schone went into the 35th Arizona-Utah Shootout with strong motivation for his team and high standards for himself.

That turned out to be a great combination. Playing with two partners, Schone earned all nine possible points in his team and individual matches. The 2025 Men’s Player of the Year in the Utah Golf Association led the home team to a 52.5-43.5 victory, finding satisfaction in all of the factors that made this edition of the annual competition so meaningful to him.

“All I can say is Utah golf is absolutely stacked,” Schone said. “We have some unreal talent in this state.”

Schone’s dominant performance came in his St. George hometown, a departure from the usual northern Utah locations the UGA traditionally has chosen for its host opportunities. Memories of Utah’s disappointing showing last year in a 60.5.-35.5 defeat in Surprise, Arizona, provided more incentive.

“With it being in my hometown at Entrada, I had a goal not to lose a single point this week,” Schone said. “I think we all had a chip on our shoulder to get the win.”

The modified, Ryder Cup-style format awards three points in each match of Foursomes, Four-Ball and Singles competition: one point for each nine and another for the 18. Teams consist of four women, four senior men and eight at-large players.

Schone joined Dallin Wheatley in a Foursomes sweep, as Utah and Arizona played to a 12-12 tie. Utah took a 13.5-10.5 win in Four-Ball play, as Schone teamed with Kenny Palmer. He added a 4-and-3 win in Singles. “My game is feeling better than ever,” Schone said, “and to secure all three points in all three matches felt pretty good.”

He had plenty of help. Wheatley, the 2026 Utah Mid-Amateur champion, earned 7.5 points. So did Darrin Overson, the two-time UGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year, while fellow seniors Randy Hicken, Guy Child and Shane McMillan each added 6.5 points. At-large player Stockton Penman contributed seven points.

Robin Krapfl, the 2024 Utah Senior Women’s State Amateur champion, was Arizona’s top performer with 8.5 points. 

Team Utah: (Back row) Cameron Crawford, Cole Ogden, Kenny Palmer, Noah Schone, Payton Hastings, David Jennings, Randy Hicken, Darrin Overson, (Front row) Dallin Wheatley, Steph Belnap, Nuny Khamnken, UGA’s Luke Fratus with the trophy, Molly Steffes, Kareen Larson and Shane McMillan. Also in photo far left, UGA’s Easton Negron. Missing from photo Stockton Penman.

Noah Schone holds the trophy after earning all nine possible points and helping Team Utah defeat Arizona, 52.5–43.5, in the 35th annual Utah-Arizona Shootout at Entrada at Snow Canyon in his hometown of St. George.