When Utah Championship tournament director Mike Smith announced Monday that tournament officials were giving one of their two at-large sponsor's exemptions to Tony Finau, there were a lot of people happy and celebrating.
But not everyone was jumping for joy. Eighty-six golfers applied for those two exemptions, and 84 were denied. The other exemption went to Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders.
Finau, a golfing phenom as a teen growing up in Rose Park, has legendary length off the tee and is well-known in Utah's and the country's golf circles — especially after reaching the finals of last season's Big Break Disney on the Golf Channel. Not only is he a good golfer, he seems like a nice young man with a lot of charisma. He's the kind of kid that's easy to pull for.
However, Finau and his younger brother Gipper haven't really made the big splash as pros that many expected after they turned professional following Tony's graduation from West High a few years back. Needless to say, they haven't lived up to their expectations and hype, or billing.
"It has been tougher than I expected," Tony Finau told me on Monday about life as a pro.
So, needing another "big break" to kick-start his career, Finau was obviously elated that he received one of this year's Utah Championship exemptions. So was his family, his fans, and those who just like seeing drives sail 350 yards through the air.
But immediately after the names of Finau and Saunders were announced, us local media folks were already throwing out names of who else was deserving of a free spot at the Nationwide Tour event.
What about former U.S. Public Links and Utah Open champion Clay Ogden? Yes, he's received two previous exemptions, but he's done pretty well with them and has arguably proven that's he's closer to a PGA Tour-caliber golfer than any other Utahn, except for Daniel Summerhays — but Summerhays is already playing in Nationwide Tour events, where he'll likely earn his PGA Tour card for next season. He'll be at the Utah Championship in September.
How about St. George's Nick Killpack? Did he get any consideration? He advanced to the second stage at last year's PGA Q-School and has won two prominent pro events this year. He's certainly deserving of a break.
Even though other deserving golfers were denied, it's still hard to argue with an exemption going to Finau. Tournament organizers know of his fan appeal and potential. They know he's been working with legendary instructor David Leadbetter and that he might finally be on the verge of breaking through.
But the selection of Saunders really has us all scratching our heads. Shouldn't a tournament that is sponsored by the Utah Sports Commission be giving its exemptions to Utah golfers?
In a perfect world, I say "yes" with the rest of you. But in a business world, and a golf tournament world in which every event is struggling to stay afloat, sometimes loyalty is thrown out the window.
To be honest, having the Golf Channel broadcast the tournament is ultra important. And, therefore, catering to the Golf Channel, by giving an exemption to Arnold Palmer's grandson, is also ultra important.
Knowing all the reasoning behind the picks, it's hard to fault the choices of Finau and Saunders. The likes of Ogden and Killpack will just have to wait for another turn. Or have them do what they've been doing all along — keep trying to earn their way onto the Nationwide Tour or PGA Tour with solid golf.
e-mail: jimr@desnews.com