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Bank of Utah Championship Trophy Tour Makes a Stop with the UGA

The Bank of Utah Championship Trophy Tour presented by SkyWest, Inc. traveled across Utah Sept. 8-10, celebrating the people and organizations making a difference in their communities as the state prepares for the return of PGA TOUR golf to Black Desert Resort Oct. 1-4.

Hosted by Black Desert Resort and Bank of Utah, the multi-day tour centered around a simple question: “What makes a champion?”

The trophy served as a visual thread connecting people and communities across the state, with Utahns sharing their perspectives on the qualities that define a champion. The tour highlighted the idea that champions are not only found on a golf course, but also in schools, workplaces and communities — from teachers and mentors to volunteers, employees, community leaders and young people driving positive change.

That connection to champions extends to Utah golf. Through Bank of Utah’s partnership with the Utah Golf Association, 2026 Utah State Amateur champion Bowen Mauss earned a sponsor exemption into next month’s Bank of Utah Championship. Mauss won his second consecutive State Amateur title in July at Soldier Hollow Golf Course, becoming the first player since Preston Summerhays in 2019 to successfully defend the championship. The exemption gives one of Utah’s top amateurs the opportunity to compete against a PGA TOUR field on home soil.

“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to continue elevating golf across Utah while creating stronger connections between our players, championships and the PGA TOUR stage,” said Easton Folster, Executive Director of the Utah Golf Association.

“The Bank of Utah Championship trophy embodies Utah’s strength, and the tour celebrates the people and organizations statewide creating opportunities and strengthening their communities,” said Benjamin F. Browning, Chairman and CEO of Bank of Utah. “As title sponsor, we were honored to have the tour begin in Ogden, where our story began nearly 75 years ago, and to see it travel through the communities we serve. Its journey reflects the same spirit of connection and celebration that defines this tournament.”

SkyWest, Inc. served as presenting sponsor of the 2026 Trophy Tour, helping connect the trophy and the stories behind it as the tour traveled from northern to southern Utah.

“SkyWest is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the Bank of Utah Championship Trophy Tour and help connect the stories of champions across our home state,” said Chip Childs, President and CEO of SkyWest, Inc. “For more than 50 years, Utah has been home to SkyWest, and connecting people and communities is at the heart of what we do. We’re excited to help take this journey across the state, celebrate the people who make a difference in their communities and ultimately help welcome the trophy — and the excitement of the PGA TOUR — to Black Desert Resort.”

The 2026 trophy was once again designed and crafted by O.C. Tanner, a global leader in employee recognition known for creating custom awards for some of the world’s biggest stages.

In addition to helping organizations around the world build thriving workplace cultures through employee recognition solutions, O.C. Tanner has a long history of designing and manufacturing iconic custom awards. The Salt Lake City-based company created the medals for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and has produced commemorative rings for Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes since 2000. For more information, visit https://www.octanner.com/

Drawing inspiration from the wind-sculpted lava rock that surrounds Black Desert Resort, the trophy incorporates a bunker-style notch — modeled after Black Desert’s iconic 18th green — that functions as a natural handle. Curved lines reflect the region’s signature wind patterns, while topographic contours honor its origin in Ivins, Utah.

The green accents symbolize both the vibrant, well-manicured course and Bank of Utah’s brand color, while the trophy’s black exterior reflects the dramatic basaltic lava fields of Black Desert. The design thoughtfully unites Bank of Utah’s identity with the raw beauty and distinctive landscape of Southern Utah.

(L-R) UGA staff members Chase Hansen, Lisa Imamura (holding the Bank of Utah Championship trophy), Easton Folster and UGA Board Member Dan Horner.

Throughout its journey across the state, the Trophy Tour highlighted community and charitable partners whose work is making an impact across Utah. From supporting students and families to introducing young people to the game of golf, each stop provided an opportunity to recognize the people and organizations strengthening their communities.

That spirit of achievement carries through to the competition at Black Desert Resort. In each of the tournament’s first two years, the eventual champion arrived at Black Desert seeking his first PGA TOUR victory and left as a PGA TOUR winner. Both the 2024 and 2025 champions earned their first career PGA TOUR titles at the Bank of Utah Championship, establishing the tournament as a stage for breakthrough moments and career-defining victories.

“The Trophy Tour is about far more than the trophy itself—it’s about celebrating what it truly means to be a champion and recognizing the people who embody that spirit every day,” said Ashley Dove, executive director of the Bank of Utah Championship. “With the support of Bank of Utah, SkyWest Inc., and our incredible partners, the Trophy Tour is bringing that spirit to communities across Utah and officially kicking off the countdown to tournament week. In just a few short weeks, the trophy will return to the world stage at the Bank of Utah Championship, where the world’s best golfers will compete for the honor of raising it and being crowned our next champion.”

Click here for tournament information and tickets for the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship.