Who are the best golfers ever to come out of the state of Utah?
That's a question Golf Digest has addressed in its August issue - not just Utah golfers, mind you, but the best golfers from every state in the country.They've listed the top three male golfers and the top female golfer from each of the 50 states. Obviously Jack Nicklaus was No. 1 from Ohio and Arnold Palmer was No. 1 from Pennsylvania. But Lee Trevino only made the No. 3 spot in the Texas rankings, behind Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.
No. 1 on the Utah list might be surprising to younger followers of Utah golf. The top ranking went to George Von Elm, who was born in Salt Lake and attended West High School. Von Elm won the U.S. Amateur in 1926 over the famous Bobby Jones and in 1931 lost in a 72-hole playoff (yes, 72) to Billy Burke for the U.S. Open title. He also won several national-caliber amateur tournaments as well as three Utah Amateurs back in the 1920s.
Nos. 2 and 3 were more familiar names - Jay Don Blake of St. George and James Blair of Ogden. Bev Nelson, who dominated women's golf in the 1960s and 70s, was listed as the top woman golfer.
The 30-year-old Blake, of course, has established himself as a regular on the PGA Tour and was the 1980 NCAA champion.
The 34-year-old Blair played one year on the tour and has won every major tournament in the state as well as several other tournaments, such as the Colorado and Wyoming Opens.
The magazine bases its rankings on achievements, not reputations. The golfer has to be born in the state. That's why someone like PGA pro David Edwards, who has always been thought to be from Oklahoma, is listed as No. 1 from Alaska.
Several adopted Utahns made other states' lists. Billy Casper and Johnny Miller are ranked 1-2 in California, Mike Reid is No. 1 from Maryland, ex-BYU golfer John Fought is listed No. 3 from Oregon. Babe Hiskey and Sonny Hiskey, former winners of the Utah Amateur, are rated No. 1 and No. 3 from Idaho.
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CITY PARKS RICHER: A year ago, we ran a story lamenting the lack of increase in the purses of local tournaments, specifically the City Parks Open. In 20 years, the City Parks first prize increased just 50 percent, from $1,000 to $1,500.
Now, in just one year, the City Parks first-place prize is jumping an incredible 233 percent, up to $5,000, thanks to FM 100, the new sponsor of the event. As part of the sponsorship, FM 100 also will make a donation to the local Work Activity Center.
Besides the usual Pro-Am July 28 and the two-day tournament July 29 and 30 at Mountain Dell and Bonneville Golf Courses, there will be several activities on July 27, including a clinic by former champ Mike Malaska, a media tournament and a dinner for sponsors and golfers.
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NEW EVENTS ON SHOWDOWN DOCKET: It's just eight days until Showdown Classic week Aug. 1-6 when the PGA Senior Tour returns for the seventh consecutive year.
This year's tournament will have the usual - two days of pro-ams, three days of the main tournament and, of course, Miller Barber.
There will also be a few additions. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, there will be a couple of new spectator events. At 9 a.m., a Skins Game will be played, featuring Orville Moody, Bobby Nichols, Harold Henning and Barber playing for $20,000. That afternoon, the Merrill Lynch Shootout, which has been held at various Senior events the past couple of years, will be played with 10 yet-to-be-determined golfers competing in a derby-type format, where one player is eliminated each hole until just one remains. In that one, $11,200 will be at stake.
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OPEN CREEPING UP: The University Hospital-Utah Open is less than a month away but has been keeping a low profile so far. With the State Amateur, City Parks and Showdown all preceding it, the Utah Open doesn't want to wear itself out too soon.
This year's Open, Aug. 14-20, will be much the same as recent tourneys - a $100,000 tournament at Willow Creek Country Club with a qualifying Monday, pro-ams Tuesday through Thursday and the main tourney Friday through Sunday. One change is that the corporate pro-am will be spread over two days on Wednesday and Thursday.
The field is still up in the air, but defending champion Jay Don Blake has told officials he will be here and skip The International tournament in Colorado the same week.
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STRAY SHOTS: Entries for the Women's State Amateur golf tournament, played Aug. 16-18 at Park City Golf Course, will be open Wednesday and be taken through Aug. 8. All USWGA members with a handicap of 36 or less are eligible. Entries should be sent to Camille McClurg, 8523 Country Squire Drive, West Jordan 84088 . . . At the Junior World Tournament in San Diego last week, 10-year-old Boyd Summerhays of Farmington won his division with a 6-under-par score, five ahead of his nearest rival . . . In last week's National Publinks Tournament, Utah's two entries didn't fare too well. BYU golfer Eddie Heinen, on the heels of his State Amateur runner-up finish, shot 82-82 to miss the cut by eight strokes, while Brett Glaser of Park City shot an 89 the first round and withdrew after the second round was delayed by rain.