Utah golf program gets boost from $1 million gift for new on-campus facility

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah golf team got a big boost Thursday with the announcement of a new state-of-the-art golf training facility thanks to a $1 million gift from David Layton.

The 7,000-square foot facility, which will be called the David S. Layton Golf Academy, will be located across the street from the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center on Guardsman Way. Construction will be completed in October with Layton Construction serving as the general contractor, with Beecher Walker as the architect.

 “I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in getting this project up and running,” Utah athletics director Mark Harlan said in a press release. “This facility will provide our golf program with an elite training experience that will help continue their rise.”

The facility will include an indoor putting green that will stretch nearly 4,000 square feet with the Putt View System installed over the green, giving the Utes the latest in player development technology. There will be two hitting bays that will contain accurate launch monitors that will help athletes develop their swings year-round, with Gears Sports providing 3D motion capture technology in one of the bays to give the Utes the top swing analysis and club fitting software available.

The new facility will also feature top-of-the-line locker rooms and player lounges, rounding out what will be one of the premier golf facilities in the Pac-12.

The U. golf program has made steady progress under fifth-year coach Garrett Clegg, finishing in fifth place in the Pac-12 in 2018-19 after last-place finishes in previous years. This past season was cut short because of the coronavirus, but the Utes were on track to make their first NCAA appearance in 31 years. 

“Thank you Dave Layton and all of our generous supporters to make this dream a reality,” Clegg said. “As an alum of our golf program, I am thrilled to be a part of the growth of our program.”