Utah Championship

In between college and prep football games, the PGA Nationwide Tour will try to grab a little of the local sports attention this week when it pays its annual visit to Utah.
The Envirocare Utah Classic will be played Thursday through Sunday at the renovated Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy. Most of the Nationwide Tour's top players are expected, including Troy Matteson and Chris Couch, who rank No. 2 and No. 3 on the money list. In all, 16 of the top 20 Nationwide money-winners are in the field this week.
Others expected to play in the 72-hole tournament include longtime PGA Tour regular Jay Don Blake of St. George, Farmington's Boyd Summerhays and former PGA Tour winner and ex-BYU golfer Rick Fehr.
The 46-year-old Blake, who won the 1988 Utah Open at Willow Creek, has been extended a sponsor's exemption but may get into the tournament on his PGA Tour status, depending on what happens this weekend. If he does get in on his PGA status, then another player will receive an exemption.
Other sponsor's exemptions have been given to Utah Open champion Nick McKinlay, former U.S. Amateur champion David Gossett and Big Break II runner-up Don Donatello.
Local golfers in the field with a shot at the $81,000 first prize include Steve Schneiter, Jimmy Blair and Kury Reynolds from the Utah Section.
More local golfers can get into the tournament in Tuesday's qualifying at Wingpointe GC where 14 golfers will qualify out of a 140-golfer field.
Jason Gore, the No. 1 money-winner on the Nationwide Tour, has already "graduated" to the PGA Tour after winning three events this summer and will not play this week.
Pro-ams will be played Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a youth clinic Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Willow Creek. Trick-shot artist Peter Johncke will entertain at the clinic.
Tickets for the tournament are free at any Zion's Bank branch or can be obtained by calling 495-4653.

E-mail: sor@desnews.com