SANDY -- John Daly, David Duval, Ernie Els, Tom Lehman, Jeff Maggert. These elite players are among the golfers who have played at the Nike Utah Classic during the past decade.
No, they're not playing in this week's Nike Utah Classic, which begins at Willow Creek Country Club Thursday and runs through Sunday. But they serve as a good example of the caliber of golfers that will be in Utah this week as the Nike Tour returns to the Beehive State after a two-year absence.The Nike Tour is basically a training ground or minor leagues for the PGA Tour. Before they became two of they best golfers in the world, Lehman and Maggert, who will compete later this month in the Ryder Cup, were two of the stars of the initial Ben Hogan Tour (which later changed its name to the Nike Tour) in 1990. Els played briefly on the Tour, while Daly and Duval each played at least a full season.
Utah was a stop that first year when a young blond golfer, who amazed spectators at Riverside Country Club in Provo with his long drives, won the tournament. A year later John Daly burst on to the world golf scene by winning the PGA Tournament. Ted Tryba, who has since won twice on the PGA Tour, won the second Utah Classic in 1990.
In 1994, young Duval had a chance to win the tournament on the final hole, only to three-putt and lose by one shot to Chris Perry, who at the time was working his way back to the PGA Tour.
This year's top names are guys like Matthew Goggin, Matt Gogel, Ryan Howison, Edward Fryatt and Joel Edwards, who happen to be the top five money winners this year. Outside of Fryatt, who played a year at BYU a decade ago, local fans likely haven't heard of any of these guys.
In fact the most famous golfer in the field, outside of a few local professionals, is Casey Martin, who gained fame last year for his insistence at using a golf cart because of degenerative condition that affects his legs and his walking. Martin sued the PGA Tour and caused famous golfers such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to testify in behalf of the PGA. Martin, who's had to miss several tournaments because of his health, stands 14th on the Nike money list, and if he finishes in the top 15, will qualify for the PGA Tour.
Several local pros will be in the field, including Steve Schneiter, Milan Swilor, Kim Thompson, Jimmy Blair, Nick Klassen, Tommy Johnson and Brett Wayment, a Nike Tour regular. Also, Utah Open winner Dean Wilson, who used to play for BYU, is in the tournament.
When it was played in Provo from 1990-96, the Nike Utah Classic struggled to survive because of smaller population base and an annual conflict with BYU football games. Following the 1996 tournament, when some key sponsorships dried up, the Nike Tour left Utah, seemingly for good.
However late last year, the Nike Tour decided to return to Utah, thanks mostly to the Ganter USA beer company, which is based in South Jordan. Ganter USA is the major sponsor of the tournament, while Wells Fargo Bank, American Express and Delta Airlines, are other main sponsors. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Utah Boys Ranch and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake.
At $375,000, the Nike Utah Classic purse is second only to the season-ending Nike Tour Championship. Virtually every top player is entered in this week's tournament in an effort to move up the money list. Of the 144 players in the field, the low 55 plus ties will make the cut. The winner takes home $67,500.
NIKE NOTES: On Tuesday 10 teams competed in a Celebrity Shootout, which eliminated one team on every hole. Gogel teamed with Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek to win with Martin taking second with partner Craig Jacobs . . . For many fans the highlight of the weekend will be Monday when four prominent pros from the PGA Tour, Duval, Fred Couples, John Cook and Craig Stadler, compete in the Ganter Cup against four players from the Nike Tour. The winner of the four-day tournament will join Goggin, Gogel and Howison in the stroke-play match competition.