News

March Volunteer Spotlight: Sherm Hatfield

By Tanner Clegg, P.J. Boatwright Intern

Each month the UGA spotlights one of our devoted volunteers to express our deep appreciation for all they do and to help you, our loyal members, become well acquainted with them. The month of March features a veteran on our Rules team, Sherm Hatfield.

Sherm was born September 22, 1940, in Bingham Canyon before his family moved to West Jordan. He is the oldest of four children to Carl and Eleanor Hatfield. His brothers, Roger and Gary, are both avid golfers, and his sister passed away in a tragic car accident at the age of 16.

Graduating high school in 1958, Sherm knew he was likely to be drafted. After working at Kennecott for a short time, he volunteered for the draft at the age of 18. He served on active duty for two years, 20 months of this time in Berlin. After returning home, he learned the game with his father and brothers who picked up golfing while he was away.

While attending a mutual friend’s wedding, Sherm noticed a young woman “who couldn’t keep her eyes off him.” They were married August 18, 1962, and will be celebrating 55 years of marriage this year. Together, they had two boys and four amazing grandchildren.

Sherm continued to work with Kennecott as a heavy equipment electrician until its closing in 1985. 

“I woke up one morning realizing I was out of work,” explained Sherm. “So I went down and got a job with Jordan School District.” He worked in their maintenance department for 20 years until he retired in 2004.

Sherm has volunteered for nearly 40 years. He started his service with the Mountain View Men’s League Board of Directors where he oversaw rules compliance. He was awarded Mountain View’s Member of the Year award in 1981. Four years later, he was elected to the UGA Board of Directors where he served the maximum of nine years including as president in 1994.

The UGA considers Sherm an expert in the state when talking about the Rules of Golf. This may be due to his extensive experience officiating at a variety of levels. He has worked tournaments for the last 38 years including the Utah State Amateur Championship, UGA Winterchamps, UGA Invitational, Utah Mid-Amateur, college championships, and many Utah Section PGA events, including the Utah Open.

He also served on the Salt Lake County Golf Advisory Board and as the co-captain of the Boys Junior Americas Cup teams.

Sherm loves all that is involved with officiating from the first tee speech to walking alongside some of the best players in Utah.

When asked why he enjoys officiating, he said “I enjoy mingling with the players who, for the most, are classy individuals. I also enjoy mingling with the other volunteers.”

He went on to say, “I have a lot of fun on the course, including watching great golf and some bad golf as well. I get to travel to great places and that’s the best payment anyone could ask for.”

The UGA is truly honored to have volunteers like Sherm. These volunteers allow the UGA to fulfill its mission to promote interest in the game of golf by encouraging, organizing, supporting, sponsoring, and administering golfing activities and programs.