From the Clubhouse
by Randy Dodson
Randy Dodson is the publisher of Fairways

Summer - August - 05
Nick Van Who?

That’s what many golfers were saying last week as his 63 was posted on the scoreboard late in the afternoon of the second round of stroke play during the Utah State Amateur.

Introducing himself to the Utah golf world by posting the new course record at Wolf Creek was Nick Van Vuuren. The 23 year-old, South African captured medalist honors with rounds of 70-63 for a 133 total and a one stroke advantage over Clay Bingham’s 66-68 – 134. UGA volunteer Larry Disera had to adjust the scoreboard as Bingham’s score was posted first and many assumed he would be crowned with medalist honors.

Scoreboard watchers were not only amazed at Van Vuuren’s career best score, which included a double-bogey, but were equally mystified as to his identity. The 107th Utah State Amateur tournament was Van Vuuren’s second Utah Golf Association tournament since following his girlfriend from Johannesburg to Utah two years ago and enrolling at Utah Valley State College with a golf scholarship. His first UGA event was the State Am qualifier at Hobble Creek, where he also claimed medalist honors by shooting a 5-under 66.

Van Vuuren, who has played golf since the age of 13, ended up at UVSC after an exhaustive search of Utah schools with golf teams. The Cougars and the Utes had no scholarships to offer; then-Wolverines coach Randall McCracken wasn’t so sure, having only one spot available. Van Vuuren kept a constant line of communication going through email until a friend of McCracken’s, while on a trip to South Africa, watched Van Vuuren play a round of golf, phoned home and suggested that the Wolverines had found their golfer.

What does the future hold for Utah’s newest golf star? While holding down a job at the Ranches Golf Club, Van Vuuren plans on graduating from UVSC with a business degree and then will make an attempt at the big time through the PGA Tour qualifying school.

Speaking of big time, a week after the State Am, in a practice round for the Utah Open, Van Vuuren shot another 63 and set another course record, this time at TalonsCove.

Playing partner and boss, Jared Barnes says, “The greatest thing is, Nick’s a better person than he is a golfer.”

We will be saying, Nick Van Vuuren and not Nick Van Who.