Dreaming of playing golf for a living has passed through many a college student's mind. But for most, it has been just that: a dream.
But not for Dustin Pimm, a former University of Utah golfer, who didn't tear up the college golf scene while at the U. but nonetheless is now competing professionally on the Canadian Tour.
He recently returned from Cancun — yes, Cancun is a popular stop on the Canadian Tour, where he finished in the money in 16th place. Actually, the Canadian Tour plays a couple of tournaments in Mexico and a couple more in California before winter subsides and the circuit moves up to Canada.
And the good news for Pimm is that he will be a regular on that tour, as he qualified in the Canadian Q school back in March in San Diego. He fired a 287, tying for 9th place, and earned exempt status. Two weeks prior, while competing for the U., he finished tied for 8th in a college tournament that was also held in the San Diego area and featured more than a dozen teams. He plays well in Southern California and hopes to be able to play well in Canada.
The former Alta High School athlete won the 5A high school state championship in 2002, and in 2007 he claimed the Salt Lake City Amateur championship. Now he is ready for more.
"I want to play every day," he said, "and take advantage of traveling and playing different tours."
Many former collegiate players take the pro golf route, but he is even more ambitious than that. He knows it will take time but he is willing. He added, "I think I can eventually work my way up to the PGA Tour."
His smallish frame — he stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 140 pounds — doesn't lend itself to the power game, yet driving the ball is his forte. "I am a good ball striker," he said, "but I do need to work on my short game."
Immediately after qualifying for the Canadian Tour, he skipped the MWC Championships and turned pro. Thus far, playing in two tournaments, he made the cut in one and missed it in the other. He doesn't yet have a feel for golf life on the road but he is looking forward to making the grade.
He will return to the U. in the fall to finish up his degree, as will his teammate, Chris Gresh. Gresh has opted for a different route, taking a job at River Oaks Golf Course, and then next year he will assist in coaching the U. golf team.
Gresh believes that Pimm can do well on the tour. "He can shoot under par," said Gresh. Pimm's Q school score went like this: 69, 66, 80 and 72. So it remains to be seen if he can be consistent.
Pimm has good athletic genes, as his grandfather is former Utah basketball coach Jerry Pimm. "He is in Santa Barbara playing a lot of golf," the younger Pimm said about his grandfather.
E-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com