News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Vote for Superintendent of the Year
Voting has Closed! Thank you for those who voted!
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
UGA Seeks New Executive Director
After nine years with the Utah Golf Association, Executive Director, Jake Miller is leaving his post to join the United States Golf Association. Miller started as the UGA’s Director of Rules and Competitions in 2013 and was promoted to Executive Director in January of 2018 after the departure of Bill Walker who moved on to head the International Association of Golf Administrators. Miller’s tenure is highlighted by change and expansion of numerous UGA Championships, membership growth and guiding the organization though the 2019 rules modernization and the introduction of the World Handicap System in 2020. Miller joins former UGA executive directors Thomas Pagel and Mark Passey who also moved from the UGA to take positions with the USGA. Like Passey, Jake will join the USGA as a regional affairs director.
On his exit, Miller noted, “Our golfers have the best amateur schedule in the country and that is a testament to all of the PGA professionals willingness to conduct terrific events around the state all year long. Our highly public golf scene allows players to enjoy a wide variety of fantastic golf at very reasonable rates. If you love golf, its hard to beat the state of Utah. The Utah golf community is a special group, I will miss the great people involved with the game in the state.”
The UGA Board of Directors has begun their search for what will be the eight executive director in the UGA’s history. CLICK HERE to view the job posting.
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Wildcats, Fisher Win Big Sky Men’s Golf Championship Titles
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Weber State shot a final round 286 to hold off the field and win the 2022 Big Sky Conference Men’s Golf Championship on Wednesday at Talking Stick Golf Club. Reese Fisher finished off the championship for the Wildcats on the final hole and finished with a 4-under par total of 206 to win the individual medalist title.
“I am so happy for this squad,” said WSU head coach Scott Erling. “They have worked so hard all year and really deserved this. I couldn’t be prouder to coach this team.”
The Wildcats opened the tournament with a first round score of 298, and then surged to the lead on Tuesday with an even-par 280 for a two-shot lead over Idaho heading into the final day. Idaho faded to a fifth place finish on Wednesday, but Northern Colorado and Sacramento State each pressured for the lead, shooting final round 284’s, while Binghamton shot the best score of the final round with a 282.
Weber State wrapped up the tournament with a final score of 864, one shot ahead of Northern Colorado and two shots clear of Sacramento State. Binghamton finished fourth at 869, followed by Idaho (871), Southern Utah (880) and Hartford (887).
Fisher became the first Wildcat to win individual medalist honors at the Big Sky Championships since Blair Bingham won the 2002 tournament, and the first Wildcat to win a conference individual title since Nick Despain took medalist honors in leading Weber State to the 2011 America Sky Conference title. He opened the tournament with a 2-over par 72 on Monday and then surged to the lead with six birdies in a bogey-free 64 on Tuesday. He then shot carded a single birdie against a single bogey for an even-par 70 to hold onto the lead. A bogey on hole 15 in the final round ended a streak of 33-consecutive bogey-free holes.
Fisher came to the final hole with the Wildcats leading Northern Colorado by a single shot and matched pars with the Bears’ Blake Danni to give Weber State the win.
Hayden Banz joined Fisher in the tournament’s top-10 with a 7-over par total of 217 to tie for 8th place. He shot rounds of 73 and 70 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, before finishing off the event with a final round 74.
Hunter Howe shot his best round of the championship on Wednesday, offsetting two bogeys with a pair of birdies for an even-par 70. Howe finished the tournament with a three-round total of 223 to tie for 22nd overall. His final round 70 came after rounds of 80 and 73 over the first two days.
Isaac Buerger matched Howe at 223 and in a tie for 22nd place after posting rounds of 77, 74 and 72 for the tournament. Brody Childs, meanwhile shot rounds of 76, 73 and 75 for a total of 224 to finish in a tie for 24th place.
Binghamton’s Justin Lane shot a final round 68 to join Idaho’s Jose Suryadinata in a tie for second place on the individual leaderboard with a total of 212, six shots off the pace set by Fisher.
The team title is the 18th Big Sky Conference championship in the program’s history and is the 20th overall conference title for the Wildcats as they twice won the America Sky title during the period when the Big Sky Conference did not sponsor men’s golf.
The Wildcats will receive the Big Sky Conference automatic berth into the NCAA Men’s Golf Regionals, which will be held May 15-18.
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
USGA, The Country Club and the Town of Brookline Lead Action Toward Greater Environmental Sustainability at U.S. Open Championship
| Significant efforts will drive greater community impact for National Championship, scheduled June 13-19
|
| LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (April 25, 2022) – Golf fans, players, vendors, volunteers and others from Massachusetts and around the world will take part in delivering the most sustainable U.S. Open Championship on-site experience to date, thanks to a collaborative effort among the United States Golf Association, the Town of Brookline and The Country Club.
In line with the UN’s Sports for Climate Action framework, the sustainability plan for the 122nd U.S. Open will significantly reduce the championship’s carbon footprint and reinvest dollars in the Town’s proactive environmental programs, leaving a lasting legacy well beyond this year’s event. For the first time in its history, the USGA has also committed to baseline measurement and analysis of the 2022 championship’s carbon impact through third-party experts, which will lead to continuous improvement of the USGA’s operations and ultimately further reduce the environmental impact of the championship, scheduled for June 13-19. “This is one of the many ways we’re acting on our commitment to advance the game and leave the planet better than we found it, so the next generation can enjoy playing outdoors as much as we do,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “The U.S. Open is a great week to spotlight what we do to sustain the game today, to show how collaboration can lead to greater action long into the future, and to illustrate that every step forward leaves an incredible impact.” “We are proud to partner as one of the five founding members of the United States Golf Association and as a neighbor within the Town of Brookline, to implement and promote joint sustainability initiatives that will produce the greenest U.S. Open to date,” said Lyman Bullard, president of The Country Club. “Sustainability is a core principle and a top priority for our whole community,” said Heather Hamilton, chair of the Brookline Select Board. “We are grateful to the USGA for its deep commitment to ensuring that the U.S. Open not only takes meaningful steps throughout the championship to promote sustainability but leaves behind a lasting positive impact.” The 2022 U.S. Open sustainability plan is rooted in three main areas of focus: Reduce: Significant energy and fossil-fuel conservation measures will be employed throughout the U.S. Open, combined with a program to divert landfill waste and dramatically reduce single-use plastics. Direct efforts include:
Renew: The USGA will invest in community renewable energy projects and purchase Renewable Energy Credits to reduce the U.S. Open’s footprint. Re-invest: The USGA has collaborated with the Town of Brookline, local citizens groups and The Country Club to identify three community programs to improve the Town’s owned green spaces, increase its tree canopy and advance carbon sequestration plans:
The USGA is committed to educate key stakeholders and fans about our sustainability programs. Fans attending the championship will be able to play an active role in sustainability efforts through:
The 2022 plan aligns with the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action framework, which provides global leadership and commitment from more than 275 sports organizations to take responsibility for their climate impact. The program is rooted in five principles that commit to undertaking systematic efforts to promote environmental responsibility, reduce overall climate impact, educate for climate action, promote sustainable consumption and advocate for climate action through communication. The USGA has served as a signatory of Sports for Climate Action since 2020. The U.S. Open sustainability plan also advances the Association’s deep commitment and proven work in sustainability for more than 100 years. The USGA invests $10 million each year in science, research, agronomy and course consulting that has been independently proven to provide more than $1.9 billion in savings back to golf each year. These savings are realized through more efficient water, fuel, labor and nutrient management practices from which the entire game has benefited. Drought and pest-resistant turfgrasses developed through USGA funding are used on athletic fields, parks, lawns and golf courses worldwide. About the USGA |
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
USGA Allocates $1.9M in Golf Course Sustainability Research Grants for 2022
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Yongyuan Wins Lady Thunderbird Invitational
ST. GEORGE, Utah – For the sixth time in her career, Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan claimed victory in an individual tournament when she won the Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational Saturday at Sunbrook Golf Course.
After opening the tournament with a 79 in round one, Yongyuan came storming back with rounds of 68 and 70 on days two and three to win the individual championship. The Thailand native sat in fifth place after 36 holes of play but clinched the win by shooting five birdies and hitting par 10 times through the final 18. Overall, Yongyuan finished the tournament one over par with a score of 217.
As a team, Southern Utah finished sixth by carding a 45-over-par 909. The Thunderbirds improved their score on each day of play by shooting rounds of 298 and 297 after opening with a 314 Thursday.
In addition to Yongyuan’s win, SUU got several other strong performances out of its lineup. Tori Thomas finished inside the top-20 with a 12-over-par 228. Her efforts landed her in 17th place overall. Tanyatorn (Excel) Thalangkarn also completed a top-50 finish by landing in 44th on a 19-over-par 235. Anais Guibal finished just one stroke back to join her teammates inside the top-50 as well. She ended the tournament with a 20-over-par 236.
Arkansas State claimed the team championship by shooting a 25-over-par 889. Seattle finished just one stroke back to take second, and Oral Roberts rounded out the top three. Behind Yongyuan in the individual standings was ORU’s Kiana Oshiro who finished just one stroke off the lead. Teammates Olivia Schmidt and Kayla Burke from Arkansas State tied in third place.
The Thunderbirds will be back in action on Saturday, March 19, when they travel to compete in the Red Rocks Invitational hosted by Northern Arizona.
For all the latest on Southern Utah women’s golf, follow @SUUGolf on Twitter and Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Golf Facebook page.
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Shosted claims medalist honors, UVU takes third at UTRGV Invite
3/8/2022 | Women’s Golf
MCALLEN, Texas – Freshman Leighton Shosted fired a final-round 73 on her way to winning her first collegiate event with a three-round total of 8-over-par 224 to claim medalist honors at the UTRGV Invitational at McAllen Country Club. As a team, the Wolverines carded a 10-over 298 during Tuesday’s final round to move up a couple of spots and place third at the 15-team event.
Entering the day behind Drake’s Haeri Lee by two strokes, Shosted played strong all day with a trio of birdies and 11 pars on her way to carding a 1-over 73 and winning the event. Over her final 10 holes, she recorded nine pars and one birdie on her way to winning her first collegiate tournament. She previously fired rounds of 74 and 77 on Monday to win the event at 8-over-par.
“Leighton was so solid this week. She was super focused and played steady all day to be the leader in the clubhouse and eventually win,” head UVU coach Juli Erekson said. “Inevitably with a slow start we put ourselves back for the team win but never stopped trying to make up for it. The time will come soon for it to come together.”
A trio of other Wolverines also posted top-25 finishes, as senior Bailey Henley carded a 2-over 74 on Tuesday to tie for 16th with a 16-over-par 232 (81-77-74). Sophomores Victoria Estrada (80-81-74) and Caylyn Ponich (81-77-77) followed by each tying for 25th with 19-over-par 235s.
As a team, Houston Baptist won the event after winning a playoff over Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, as both teams finished with identical scores of 56-over-par 920. UVU finished just four strokes back to take third with a 60-over-par 924. After opening with scores of 314 and 312 on Monday, the Wolverines responded by firing a 10-over 298 on Tuesday to move up two spots and earn their second top-three team finish of the season. By taking third, UVU finished ahead of Illinois State (925), Creighton (932), Incarnate Word (932), host UT Rio Grande Valley (933), Lamar (946), Omaha (947), Stephen F. Austin (948), Drake (957), North Dakota (961), Tarleton (961), Texas Southern (970), and Texas A&M – Kingsville (1020).
“I’m very pleased for our second-best round of the season today. Conditions were not easy all week and our girls fought till the end,” Erekson added. “We are ready to get back to it this week in St. George and look forward to building on this finish!”
Sophomore Anna Lesa rounded out UVU’s competitors at the UTRGV Invite by tying for 48th out of 79 competitors with a 243 (79-81-83).
By claiming medalist honors and winning her first collegiate event on Tuesday, Shosted has now recorded a trio of top-five finishes during her true freshman season for the Wolverines.
UVU will continue a busy week by traveling from McAllen, Texas to St. George, Utah this evening to take part at Southern Utah’s Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational at Sunbrook Golf Club Thursday through Saturday, March 10-12.
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
USGA Announces Entry Process, Field Composition and Format for 1st U.S. Adaptive Open
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Finishing Strong
Brothers Zach and Cooper Jones carded a combined four birdies and an eagle on the final three holes to send the Sand Hollow Am to a playoff finish.
“Finish strong,” is a familiar refrain from caddies, family and friends for players hoping to close out a win coming down the stretch of golf tournaments.
Brothers Zac and Cooper Jones, winners of the first two Utah Golf Association Player Performance Rankings events on Utah’s Southern Swing, understood the assignment.
The Jones duo, playing in separate pairings, combined for four birdies and an eagle over the final three holes of regulation to pass first round leader Tristen Mandur and send the Sand Hollow Amateur to a playoff.
Read the complete Sand Hollow Amateur tournaments recap from Fairways Photo Journal here: https://tinyurl.com/47d65mh3
News
Check out what has been happening in Utah Golf.
Jones Family Captures Another Utah Amateur Title
Reigning UGA Player of the Year Cooper Jones makes it two-for-two for the Joneses.
By Randy Dodson
There must be something in the water at the Clark and Angie Jones family home right now. Maybe something just a bit sweeter in their Alpine, Utah home.
For the second week in a row a Jones family member won on Utah’s Southern Swing of amateur tournaments that count points toward the Utah Golf Association’s Player Performance Ranking list.
Count this one up to sibling rivalry.
With just a one-stroke lead over younger brother and reigning UGA Player of the Year Cooper Jones, BYU freshman Zac Jones was looking for a second win in as many weeks in St. George, Utah.
Zac Jones finished the opening round of the St. George Amateur Jan. 14 with an (-8) 65. Looking over his shoulder heading into the final round Saturday was Cooper and Jax McMurdie.
CLICK HERE for Fairways Photo Journal’s St. George Amateur story.