The PGA's Nationwide Tour will return to Utah in September with the same sponsor, only under a different name.
The Utah EnergySolutions Championship logo was unveiled Friday at a press conference at the Salt Lake Golf Show in Sandy. This year's tournament will be played Sept. 4-10 at the Willow Creek Country Club.
For the past three years, the tournament has been called the Envirocare Utah Classic. Since last year's tournament, Envirocare was re-named EnergySolutions.
"EnergySolutions is proud to be the title sponsor of this tournament," said Greg Hopkins, EnergySolutions senior vice president for communications. "It's a great event for golf fans, and it's about more than just golf. Everyone involved — from the golfers to the volunteers to the fans — is part of an event that gives back to the community."
The tournament is owned and overseen by the Utah Sports Commission.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have such great sponsors," said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "As the only PGA Tour event in Utah, the tournament is a tremendous asset to our state. We have strong community support, which has helped us to keep this event in Utah."
Evan Byers is back as tournament director, and he pointed out that 57 percent of the golfers on the PGA Tour have played in previous Nationwide tournaments in Utah. Three of the past four winners — Brett Wetterich (2004), Zach Johnson (2003) and Arron Oberholser (2002) — have gone on to win on the PGA Tour.
The contract with EnergySolutions runs out at the end of this year, but Hopkins believes his company will stay involved as a sponsor.
"We don't anticipate a change and fully expect to be part of the tournament in the future," said Hopkins. He wouldn't give an exact figure but said the company's financial commitment is well into six figures.
This year's tournament will have a $450,000 purse, with $81,000 going to the winner.
As in the past, many of the proceeds raised by the tournament will benefit local charities.
This year the tournament will begin the tradition of naming a title sponsor charity that will receive a significant contribution. The tournament has named The Children's Center as the 2006 title sponsor charity.
The tournament will also support other worthy charities, including the Utah Boys and Girls Ranch, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Kirilenko's Kids and Utah's First Tee Youth Golf Program.
Those wishing to volunteer for the Utah EnergySolutions Championship should call 495-4653 or visit www.utahchampionship.com.
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