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Provo Open Making Big Plans for This Year and Future
The annual Provo Open golf event will celebrate its 73rd year, teeing off in June at beautiful East Bay Golf Course in Provo, Utah.
According to Executive Director Gary Golightly, “There is a full week of events and because of the loyal support of sponsors we are returning to our exciting original format!”
Following the Karl Tucker Amateur (Division II) on Tuesday, June 12 the Provo Open will host sponsors, past champions and special guests for a black-tie dinner at the downtown Provo Marriott. Wednesday morning the 13th will be Media Day press conference followed by golf. Thursday the 14th is the popular Sponsors tournament; the big tent barbecue returns to East Bay Golf Course, as sponsors and guests celebrate this special day. Friday the 15th through Sunday the 17th is the traditional Provo Open Championship that will pay out a larger purse this year.
Randy Dodson, chairman of the Provo Open is looking forward to the charity work the tournament will do this year through the Karl Tucker Foundation. This foundation was endowed in honor of former Provo Open Chairman and Utah golf legend Karl Tucker who passed away a few years ago.
“We miss Karl and anything we can do to continue the tournament’s legacy of helping children based charity and junior golf, under the foundation’s name, is gratifying, explained Dodson. “Karl was adamant about growing the game of golf especially for Utah County junior golfers.”
Over the years the tournament and its sponsors have been able to conduct an annual junior golf clinic for the Utah County Boys and Girls Club and support the Utah Junior Golf Association’s annual Karl Tucker Memorial tournament held in Utah County.
“This year the Utah County Commissioners office, tournament sponsors, Utah Section PGA professionals and Provo Open past champions will again introduce the game of golf to Utah County youth that otherwise may not have a chance to be exposed to this game that Karl Tucker loved so much”, said Dodson.
NuSkin Director of Corporate Services and Provo Open board member Derek Roney said, “Our company is honored to be a part of this first class event. The Provo Open has been responsible for raising over a million dollars for charity over the last 20 years.”
“Tournament event information and its historic past are now available online,” according to Dave Huntsman, tournament logistics coordinator, “We have created a new web-site, www.provoopen.com which provides online registration and general info and eventually real time video and scoring.”
East Bay Golf Course Head Professional Kean Ridd has promised challenging tournament course conditions and a strong field. Assistant professional Bret Watson said, “Registration is at a fast pace! We even have three Australian players coming to compete in the Provo Open!”
Golightly offers, “The coalition of diverse sponsors is fully committed to the tournament and the tradition it represents. The Presenting sponsors are NuSkin, KUTV2, Comcast Spotlight, Hoopes Vision, and Utah County. Partners include; Provo City, Provo Marriott, SuperSonic, Qualtrics, Berge Auto, In the Paint, Bullion Monarch, Brent Bryson, Links Consulting, Pepsi, Green Hollow Catering, Black Clover and Fairways Media.
Utah golf legends Billy Casper and Bruce Summerhays are among an elite group of Provo Open former champions. Golightly says, “There is talk about bringing back the successful Provo Open Skins game. We are working on a televised “Skins Game” for 2013, which would be prime time in this market and be shown nationally via cable networks. The Skins game would be contested at another prestigious Utah County venue separate from the other events and undoubtedly would make the Provo Open very unique. We expect a title sponsor announcement in the near future for the event.”
He also stated, “We have a very passionate tournament committee, a committed tournament staff and a terrific course crew. We are working hard to take this event to a new level and we are already looking forward to a spectacular platinum 75 year Provo Open anniversary in 2014!”
For more information on this year’s Provo Open tournament please visit www.provoopen.com or call the East Bay Golf Course pro shop 801-852-7529.