SANDY -- Local golf fans have become so accustomed to big-name golfers coming to Utah, they've almost become indifferent to the idea of famous golfers playing here. Just last month two of the biggest names in golf history, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, were in the state to compete in the Novell Utah Showdown in Park City.
However, local fans haven't had many opportunities like they'll get Monday when four of the top golfers from the PGA Tour -- David Duval, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler and John Cook -- pay a visit to Willow Creek Country Club, where they'll play in the Ganter Cup Challenge against four players from the Nike Tour.The competition begins at 10 a.m. as the players will compete in matches and also get paid according to stroke play. The total purse is $200,000.
Leading the way is Duval, who, until Tiger Woods recently eclipsed him, was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world. Duval has won eight tournaments since late 1997, when he finally broke through as a winner. He said he's looking forward to playing Monday as he tunes up for the Ryder Cup later in the year.
"It has been a good year," Duval said. "I've kind of divided the season into quarters, and I need to build some momentum in the early fourth quarter to carry me into the Ryder Cup."
Couples is a former No. 1 golfer who remains one of golf's most popular players. Couples won the Masters in 1992 and has made two previous appearances in Utah -- as a 19-year-old at the Pacific Coast Amateur in Provo in 1979 and in 1984 when he teamed with Miller Barber at the Shootout at the Jeremy Ranch Best Ball.
Stadler is also a Masters winner who is very popular with the fans, who know him as "The Walrus." Stadler has already competed in Utah this year, playing in Johnny Miller's Champions' Challenge at Thanksgiving Point where he and his son, Kevin, took first place.
The least known of the four is Cook, who has been a solid player on the Tour for nearly two decades, winning several tournaments and just missing winning the 1995 British Open.
While the four big-name PGA players have an obvious edge in experience and accomplishments, at least some observers believe the Nike Tour guys will do just fine.
"These guys will be playing the course all week, and the (PGA Tour players) will be flying in from wherever they are, so I think (the Nike Tour players) have a good chance," said Utah Open champ Dean Wilson.
Three of Nike Tour players are Matthew Goggin, Matt Gogel and Ryan Howison. The fourth player will be whoever wins the Nike Utah Classic, which concludes today at Willow Creek.
"After playing the Nike Tour for a couple of years, I know these guys will be keyed up to play us," said Duval. "It won't be a life or death thing for us, but there will be some pride at stake. It is an interesting format, and it should be good for television."
CUP NOTES: Spectators are urged to park at the Waterford School (9400 S. 1700 East), Brighton High School (7600 S. 2200 East) or Quail Hollow Elementary School (8890 S. 2700 East). Shuttle service will be provided from each of these locations . . . The Golf Channel will televise all 18 holes live beginning at 10 a.m., and it will be replayed seven times in the subsequent four weeks . . . The Ganter Cup was played last year at San Juan Oaks Golf Club in California, where Couples was the big winner by winning $107,500. Stadler earned $92,500, while Cook won $50,000 and John Daly got the remaining $20,000.