Usually the talk before a Men's State Amateur centers on the top contenders for the prestigious trophy. This year, however, everyone seems to be talking about the venue for the longest continuous golf tournament in America.
For the first time in more than 20 years, the State Am is being played on a bona fide public golf course - the Hobble Creek course near Springville, beginning Wednesday.You have to go back to 1973 when the championship was contested at Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course to find a State Am that wasn't played at Country Club or semi-private course such Jeremy Ranch, Park Meadows or Wolf Creek.
Even though Hobble Creek is a beautiful and popular course (it was the favorite course in a Deseret News readers survey two years ago), some entrants have grumbled about the site selection, causing tourney officials to defend it.
"I feel the golf course is worthy of a State Am," said Joe Watts, the executive director of the Utah Golf Association. "It's one of the great golf courses in the state and very deserving of a State Am. I don't have any hesitation about making the selection."
While Watts says he's had few direct complaints about holding the State Am at Hobble Creek, he acknowledges, "There's been some negative reaction and I've heard second-hand rumblings."
Still, Watts points out that the tournament had its largest number of entrants ever (650) for the qualifying and most of the state's top amateurs are entered.
Some golfers are disappointed the tournament isn't being played at a country club, while others believe the course is too short at 6,315 yards (most championship courses measure around 7,000 yards).
"Those who are critical, have a narrow view of golf," said Watts. "The tournament shouldn't be determined by the driver. Driving is just a part, but not all of the game."
Sonny Braun, who has been the pro at Hobble Creek for the past three decades isn't worried about his course being too easy for the state's best amateurs.
"I think this course will stand up to the test," he said. "This course can reach up and grab you. You've got to place all of your shots here. I think it is a great match play course."
The finishing holes are among the best on the course and the uphill par-4 15th, scenic par-3 16th and dogleg par-4 17th, have been nicknamed "Amen Corner."
Since it was built in the late 1960's, Hobble Creek has been considered one of the state's most beautiful courses. The setting in Hobble Creek canyon is spectacular and the course is always in tip-top shape.
Unfortunately, the course ran into some bad luck over this past winter and has been trying to recover ever since.
Ice formed on several greens in December and was covered by snow, resulting in spotty, yellow greens after the snow melted. Most of the greens have recovered, but Nos. 1, 2 and 4 have some yellow patches with the 1st being the worst with about 50 percent of the green affected.
"That was the first time that has ever happened," said Braun of the ice damage. "Usually the snow insulates the greens, but we had some rain in December followed by snow. We ended up with 15 inches of solid ice."
So who are this year's top contenders?
You have to start with defending champion Jason Wight and work from there. John Tagge, who lost in the finals last year is back along with quarterfinalists Todd Barker and Matt Lyons and Jeff Anderson.
Collegiate golfers always fare well at the State Am and 14 collegians are playing this week, including Joe Summerhays (BYU), Todd Tanner (Utah State), Jon Morgan (Utah), Chris Myrick (Weber State) and reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion Scott Hailes, who just completed his freshman year at Wright State in Ohio.
Utah State, which has produced the past three State Am champs (Wight, Jerimie Montgomery and Brett Wayment) has seven golfers entered this year and will be trying to make it four in a row.
While no one over the age of 30 has won since Arlen Peacock in 1977, several over-30 golfers may have a chance on the shorter, thinking-man's Hobble Creek course.
"Veteran" golfers to watch include Barker, Mark Domm, Ryan Job, David Cannon, Larry Williams, Scott Fairbanks, Ken Cromwell, Kurt Bosen, Steve Campbell, two-time champ Doug Bybee and 1985 champ Steve Borget, who recently regained his amateur status.
Fourteen of the state's top junior golfers (17-and-under) will be playing, but one notable exception is Boyd Summerhays, who is competing in a national junior tournament this week.
The grueling five-day tournament will pare the 148-man field down to two by Saturday evening. Two days of medal play will whittle the field to 32 after which the players will be bracketed for match play. The two survivors will go at it in a 36-hole finale Sunday.