Fairways • August 2011
These Guys are Good
by Bill Walker

The familiar golfing catch phrase noted above stayed with me during my initial involvement with the Utah State Amateur Championship at Soldier Hollow Golf Course earlier last month. With 288 entrants it took even par to secure a spot in the match play field of 64 with 16 golfers at 145 (+1) playing off for the final three match play positions.

The history, quality of play, condition of the golf course and media coverage made the 113th State Amateur a memorable occasion. It was easy to see how much this championship means to a very dedicated Utah golf community.

Jeff Evans, a senior at Southern Utah University, now holds the title of champion of the oldest continuous championship in the world. Jeff's road map to the championship began at the Dixie Qualifier at Green Spring where he shot a 68 to earn medalist honors.

Once at the State Amateur Championship his momentum continued when he fired rounds of 68-73—141 to easily earn a spot in the match play field.

Round one went his way with a victory over David Madsen followed by a narrow one-up win over Scott Clark in a sweet sixteen matchup.

Jeff didn't let the pressure get to him in his next two matches either as he notched back-to-back extra hole wins over John Busby and Connor Jones.

In the finals he was paired against Stratton Schulz who was the medalist at our East Qualifier in Vernal and had an impressive route to the finals as well.

Stratton, a sophomore at Utah Valley University, never had to tee it up on 17 or 18 during his four wins in match play as he recorded wins over Casey Halliday, Tommy Wingert, Cameron Edens and Greg Wojtkun.

In the Championship match Jeff led three up after the morning 18 and then won five of his first eight holes on the front nine of the afternoon round to build his lead to an insurmountable 8-up.

He put his name into the record books on the 29th hole of the match when the hole was halved to win the Utah State Amateur Championship.

Jeff's name now is alongside players such as sixtime champion Bill Korns, current PGA TOUR player and two time champion Daniel Summerhays, Champions TOUR player Bruce Summerhays, Jimmy Blair, and two time champion and current BYU golf coach Bruce Brockbank.

One of the highlights of the week was listening to former UGA Executive Director Joe Watts during his Breakfast of Champions speech. There is no one who has more knowledge and passion for the Utah State Amateur than Joe Watts.

Many stories and memories were recounted from his 44 year experience with our premier championship. He recalled 14 year old Pete Stone's upset of defending champion and tournament favorite Doug Bybee, then reminisced about Arlen Peacock rattling off six straight birdies to win the state championship over future Utah Golf Hall of Famer Jay Don Blake. He asked current players in the field to give back or "Pay it Forward" to this great event by supporting their fellow match play contestants once they were eliminated themselves.

His acknowledgement of Ronnie Newren's service with the UGA was followed by a well deserved recognition from those in attendance.

Joe's talk encapsulated all of the aspects of golf and the Utah State Amateur that made both such an integral and meaningful part of his life.

I would like to extend another thank you to all of the UGA volunteers who dedicated their time and effort in making this year's Amateur so memorable. A special thank you needs to go out to the staff at Soldier Hollow for providing excellent service throughout the event under the leadership of head golf professional Chris Newson and head superintendent Steve Moulton .

I know the USGA will be pleased with their selection when the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship is played at Soldier Hollow next year.

Bill Walker is the executive director of the Utah Golf Association.