A few years ago, local professionals had to put up with Steve Brodie, a former NIKE Tour player who settled in Provo and began playing the local professional circuit. Brodie won several tournaments and then moved on to the PGA Tour, where he has found limited success (although he is close to the lead at this week's Buick Invitational).
Now it's former PGA Tour regular Jim Nelford, who is back to take some of the paychecks away from the local pros.The ex-BYU golfer has settled with his family in Highland, in northern Utah County, and he plans to play in some local tournaments this summer. Last week, he shota 65 to win the Rose Park Open.
"I like to play whenever I can," said Nelford, who now makes his primary career as a broadcaster for the Golf Channel. He'll spend 22 weeks working up in the booth this year, including the one he spent working for CBS at the Masters last month. Nelford may be back at another major in August (the PGA in Los Angeles) as he is currently negotiating a contract.
Nelford admits the broadcast career "has kind of taken over" his golf career. That's why he's more content to play in a few local events than face the grind of the NIKE Tour as he has done in recent years.
"I'm enjoying playing golf," he said. "I don't have to make a living at it, so it's fun to compete without all the pressure."
U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING: Nelford will headline a group of 36 golfers at the U.S. Open local qualifying Monday at Ogden Country Club.
Most of the top professionals in the area will be competing, including Kim Thompson, Jimmy Blair, Chris Jones and Mike Malaska, who has spent the past two years in Japan.
Amateur Chris Dahlberg is Ogden's top hope, while Michael Dauby from Scottsdale, Ariz., is the lone out-of-state player.
The low four golfers will advance to sectional qualifying in California or Denver, where they'll have about a one in 10 chance of advancing to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills next month.
MOVIN' ON: More moves among Utah PGA professionals this year: Mike Stanger from Gladstan to Willow Creek; Mike Waldram from Rose Park to West Ridge; Greg Cayais from Mountain Dell to Nibley: Brad Hansen from Mulligans to Eaglewood; Curtis Peterson from Sunbrook to Sky Mountain; Matt Dame from Spanish Oaks to Sky Mountain; Rex Underwood from Park City to Park Meadows; and Joey Bonsignore and Kim Thompson both from Alpine to Mulligans South.
STRAY SHOTS: Super Bowl MVP Steve Young will serve as Honorary Chairman of the the 1995 Nike Utah Classic. The annual tourney will be played Sept 5-10 at Riverside CC . . . Kim Thompson is the early leader in the Governor's Cup Point race, followed by Ryan Rhees and Matt Johnson . . . A total of 15 tournaments are on the schedule this weekend (including Monday). Contrast that to next weekend when just one tournament is played (Valley View Amateur on Saturday) on the three-day holiday weekend . . . Actually there is one tournament of sorts on Memorial Day - the KUTV Skins Game, featuring Dan Forsman, Keith Clearwater, Mike Reid and Jay Don Blake at East Bay Golf Course . . . Entry deadline for the State Am passed on Friday with numbers down just slightly from last year according to UGA Executive Director Joe Watts. Approximately 550 golfers will compete at five qualifyings between June 2 and 12 will be at Logan River, Park City, Bonneville, Eaglewood and St. George Golf Club. The State Am Finals are at Logan Country Club July 5-9.