In a brand-new conference room at the giant Franklin Quest headquarters, details about the brand-new Franklin Quest Championship were made official Wednesday afternoon.
More than 100 dignitaries, including Lt. Governor Olene Walker and many of the state's top business leaders, were on hand for the announcement.So what was this championship that caused so much hoopla? Well, it's a golf tournament that actually isn't new at all. It's been the premier golf event in the state for the past 11 years and used to be called the Shootout at the Jeremy Ranch and, more recently, the Showdown Classic.
"We're very proud to be the sponsor of this tournament," said Franklin President Arlen Crouch. "We're happy to bring some new energy and enthusiasm to the tournament to make it better than ever before."
The Senior PGA tournament, which will be played Aug. 13-15, has two major changes in addition to the name change.
The tourney will move to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Park Meadows Golf Course in Park City after being played at the Jeremy Ranch Golf Club for a decade.
Also, the total purse will be increased $100,000 to $500,000, putting it on par with other comparable senior events.
The tournament has been plagued with various problems in recent years, including course conditions the last two years at Jeremy Ranch. But that wasn't the reason for the change to Park Meadows, according to Crouch.
"Last year they had some problems with the golf course, but that's not the reason we're leaving," said Crouch. "We just think with the new name and bigger purse we need a new freshness."
Park Meadows pro Mike Kahler said his course was thrilled to be asked to host the tournament.
"It's the premier golf event you can have in Utah," he said. "There are only 42 of these (senior) tournaments in the world, and we get one of them."
Kahler sees no problems getting his course ready for this year's tournament.
"I think it has been one of best-conditioned golf courses in the state the last three or four years," said Kahler. "There's no reason to think it won't be again."
One obvious problem with Park Meadows compared to Jeremy is accessibility, but Kahler said arrangements are already being made to shuttle spectators to the course. And Park Meadows will have a new $3.5-million clubhouse ready to be opened June 15.
Pat Shea of Friends of Utah Golf reminded everyone that the PGA came very close to moving the tournament out of Utah in 1989.
"When Franklin Quest agreed to become the title sponsor, it allowed the tournament to have the stability it needs," said Shea.
Franklin is in the second year of a three-year title sponsorship to the tournament, and Crouch sees his company sponsoring the tourney for years to come.
Orville Moody won last year's tournament, defeating local favorite Bob Betley in a rain-shortened tournament. Both players, along with many of the Senior Tour's top players, are expected to play in this year's tournament.