Field Set, Final Exemptions Announced for 2010 Utah Championship

Saturday, 05 September 2009 00:00

Salt Lake City (Sept. 8, 2010)-The field is set for the 2010 Utah Championship and this year’s tournament will feature nearly all the top players on the Nationwide Tour, as well as dozens of PGA TOUR players. The tournament tees off Thursday, September 9 and is Utah’s only official PGA TOUR event on the Nationwide Tour

Tournament organizers today announced 23 of the Top 25 players on the Nationwide Tour will be teeing it up at Willow Creek Country Club when the tournament gets underway. Those players will be competing for a spot on next year’s PGA TOUR; players who finish the season ranked in the Top 25 automatically earn their tour card for the following year.

Brigham Young University graduate and local favorite Daniel Summerhays will attract large galleries as he looks to cement his place in the Top 25. Summerhays comes into the Utah Championship ranked 15^th on the money list.

Fans will also be able to follow approximately 30 PGA TOUR regulars who will be crossing over and playing on the Nationwide Tour this weekend. Rich Beem, winner of the 2002 PGA Championship, and Steve Pate, a former Ryder Cup player, highlight the list of PGA TOUR players coming to Willow Creek.
“The talent level at this year’s tournament is phenomenal,” said Tournament Director Mike Smith. “Nearly all the top players on the Nationwide Tour will be here, including numerous past champions from our event, in addition to all the PGA TOUR players. Fans will be treated to some great golf this weekend.

Tournament organizers also announced Roberto Castro and Jim McGovern will receive the final two exemptions into this year’s field. Castro comes to the Utah Championship ranked 59^th on the money list, thanks in large part to a second place finish at last month’s Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. McGovern joins the field as one of the many players who have competed on the PGA TOUR this year. Tony Finau and Sam Saunders received the tournament’s other two exemptions earlier this summer.

The Utah Championship will be played September 9-12 at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy.

For information on tickets and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.utahchampionship.com or call 801-495-GOLF.