News

October Volunteer Spotlight - Dave Huntsman

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 October features one of the UGA’s Rules Officials, Dave Huntsman.

Dave Huntsman was born in California and went to high school in Kirtland, New Mexico. During his childhood, his family moved often as his father was a traveling salesman. Dave played on the chess and football teams and graduated high school in 1974.

After graduating, Dave drove cross-country truck, operated heavy equipment, and worked for El Paso Pipe & Steel in Utah. Upon returning home to New Mexico, Dave served an LDS mission in England.

Dave was an avid bowler and played in many tournaments. He met his future wife in a bowling alley and went on three dates before getting engaged; they were married a few months later. Their family wouldn’t let them get married on April Fool’s Day, so they were married on April 2nd and have been married for 35 years. The two of them have three children, a set of twins (boy & girl) and a younger daughter.

Before getting married, Dave’s future in-laws had one requirement of him, he must learn to golf. He was hooked on golf after that. Dave served on the East Bay Men’s Association where he started to work golf tournaments, including the Provo Open and Ben Hogan Tournament at Riverside CC.

He was recruited to the rules officiating by Keith Hansen and Lee Samsel and has been an official since 1992. Dave still remembers his first DQ he had where a player violated the double caddie rule during a tournament at Hobble Creek Golf Course. When asked why Dave enjoys being a rules official, he said, “being able to contribute and give back to the game.” Dave has recently been working on a custom Rules cart to use while officiating tournaments!

Outside of golf, some of Dave’s hobbies include camping, geocaching, fishing, rock climbing and reading. Dave reads over 50 books a year!

The Utah Golf Association thanks its volunteers for sacrificing their time and energy to help the UGA fulfill its mission to promote interest in the game of golf by encouraging, organizing, supporting, sponsoring and administering golfing activities and programs. If you are interested in volunteering for the UGA, contact Rules and Competitions Director Jacob Miller at [email protected] or 801-563-0400.