Utah Championship News
The PGA's Stars In Waiting
Sunday, 01 September 2002 21:33
 Todd Fischer is fifth on the UTAH CLASSIC money list and likely to move up to the PGA Tour. (Tribune file photo) |
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
9/1/02
The PGA Tour's primary advertising campaign is built around the slogan, "These guys are good."
As for the tour-brand product coming this week to Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy, the question remains, "Who are these guys?"
Actually, they're good, too.
Utah golf fans tend to show far more interest in recognizable names, which is why a Senior PGA Tour event has survived in the Park City area for 21 years. The UTAH CLASSIC TOUR -- formerly Hogan and Nike, soon to become Nationwide -- showcases a mixture of future and former PGA Tour players, and statistically ranks as the second-best golf tour in the world.
This tour came to Provo from 1990-96 and resurfaced at Willow Creek in 1999. As the UTAH CLASSIC TOURnament director, Evan Byers has made steady progress in educating fans and sponsors about the connection to the PGA Tour and the quality of golf.
This week, 47 of the tour's top 50 money-winners will play at Willow Creek, and just making the 36-hole cut will require shooting under par.
Morris Hatalsky is a good illustration of the tour's level of play. The winner of last weekend's Uniting Fore Care Classic in Park City, he's 10th on the money list as a Senior PGA Tour rookie. He credits the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR as great preparation, having made 19 starts and earned $15,970 on the tour last season. He tied for 31st place in the Utah Classic, shooting 7-under-par for four rounds.
Following the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR is an act of faith, not unlike watching Triple-A baseball. Some of the players will become major league stars, but nobody knows which ones. Every year, the top 15 money-winners advance to the PGA Tour.
And in another baseball analogy, Ty Tryon, an 18-year-old PGA Tour member who has missed most of the season with mononucleosis, will make a rehabilitation start this week at Willow Creek. David Sutherland did the same thing last year -- and won the tournament.
The UTAH CLASSIC TOUR and PGA Tour have this in common: Getting onto either tour is tough, and staying there is even more difficult. Nobody just signs up for the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR. Initial membership requires reaching the final stage of the three-stage PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, or somehow getting into enough events -- and playing well enough -- to make the top 55 on the season money list.
Logan's Brett Wayment is an example of a player who qualified for the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR and played a full year's schedule (1999), but did not make enough money to stay. Every October, he has to start over in the Qualifying Tournament.
Access is everything in pro golf. Andy Miller was a four-time All-American at Brigham Young and Kaysville's Boyd Summerhays once was the country's No. 1 junior golfer. Yet until they advance through two stages of the Qualifying Tournament, they will have to enter Monday qualifying and try for one of 14 spots available each week on the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR.
That's why they appreciate having received sponsor exemptions into this week's field. In addition, club pros Steve Schneiter, Ryan Rhees and Matt Johnson earned host spots in Utah Section PGA qualifying.
As for the tour's weekly travelers, here's a look at how some of the top players gained their status for 2002:
* Cliff Kresge. The tour's leading money-winner with $218,814 this season, Kresge qualified for this tour by playing just well enough -- or poorly enough -- on the PGA Tour in 2001. He finished 163rd on the money list ($220,649), costing him his PGA Tour card, but giving him UTAH CLASSIC TOUR access. Now, he's headed back to the PGA Tour in 2003.
* Todd Fischer. He offers hope to players such as Miller and Summerhays. A former winner of the Utah Open -- not to be confused with the Utah Classic -- Fischer had no status on the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR when the 2001 season started. Every week, the top 25 finishers gain exemptions for the next event, so it's possible (if highly unlikely) for Miller and Summerhays to hop on board for the rest of the tour schedule.
Through a combination of Monday qualifying, top-25s and a sponsor exemption, Fischer played in 12 tournaments last year and made 11 cuts -- missing only at Willow Creek.
Because he finished 33rd on the money list, he's allowed to play a full schedule this year and is taking advantage, winning the Fort Smith (Ark.) Classic and ranking fifth with $193,782.
"It's been so much easier just to go to a tournament and know I'm in," Fischer said.
This week, the "Monday" qualifying event will be staged Tuesday (avoiding a conflict with Labor Day public play) at Wingpointe Golf Course. Upwards of 100 players from around the country are expected to compete for 14 spots in the tournament field.
Fischer has likely clinched his PGA Tour advancement for 2003 -- making last year's top 15 took $161,665 -- but he's not banking on that yet. "I would imagine it's going to be a great feeling," he said.
* Doug Barron. By one stroke over six rounds, Barron missed the top 35 of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. But the next 50 finishers receive full UTAH CLASSIC TOUR privileges and, having played the PGA Tour for five years, Barron has thrived on the UTAH CLASSIC TOUR this season, ranking fourth with $194,807.
* Arron Oberholser. Because of a wrist injury, he received a medical exemption for 2002 and has responded by earning $185,727 to rank seventh.
UTAH CLASSIC Money Leaders
Trn -- Money
1. Cliff Kresge 15 -- $218,814
2. Patrick Moore 13 -- $200,405
3. Darron Stiles 18 -- $199,479
4. Doug Barron 14 -- $194,807
5. Todd Fischer 18 -- $193,782
6. Marco Dawson 16 -- $191,384
7. Arron Oberholser 14 -- $185,727
8. Patrick Sheehan 19 -- $167,323
9. Jason Buha 18 -- $151,877
10. Gavin Coles 13 -- $146,995
11. Steven Alker 17 -- $145,499
12. Tyler Williamson 19 -- $129,316
13. Jay Delsing 13 -- $128,751
14. Tag Ridings 18 -- $127,337
15. Charles Warren 17 -- $125,398
16. Jace Bugg 17 -- $124,067
17. Todd Barranger 16 -- $123,481
18. Peter O'Malley 3 -- $121,125
19. Anthony Painter 12 -- $115,693
20. Omar Uresti 19 -- $115,230
21. Jason Caron 15 -- $114,519
22. Zoran Zorkic 15 -- $108,554
23. Keoke Cotner 19 -- $107,242
24. Scott Sterling 19 -- $103,780
25. Joel Kribel 18 -- $101,624
26. Ken Green 13 -- $99,906
27. Tom Carter 20 -- $98,385
28. Gary Hallberg 13 -- $95,037
29. Mike Heinen 7 -- $91,839
30. Eric Meeks 19 -- $91,066
31. Mark Hensby 12 -- $88,406
32. Tommy Biershenk 18 -- $88,049
33. Hunter Haas 14 -- $84,835
34. John Maginnes 14 -- $84,407
35. Andrew McLardy 16 -- $82,547
36. Rich Barcelo 17 -- $81,527
37. Rob McKelvey 19 -- $80,945
38. Andy Sanders 11 -- $80,937
39. Brian Wilson 17 -- $79,905
40. Aaron Baddeley 10 -- $79,044
41. Brad Ott 17 -- $77,842
42. Jeff Hart 15 -- $75,318
43. Jeff Klauk 14 -- $73,956
44. Roger Tambellini 14 -- $73,616
45. Steve Ford 5 -- $73,106
46. Jeff Freeman 18 -- $72,151
47. Bryce Molder 4 -- $72,064
48. Chris Tidland 16 -- $68,801
49. Steve Haskins 17 -- $68,569
50. Brian Claar 10 -- $67,433
Utah Classic -- Schedule of Events
The schedule of events for the Utah Classic at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy (unless noted).
Monday -- Pro-Am, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
Tuesday -- "Monday" qualifying at Wingpointe Golf Course in Salt Lake City. Because of Labor Day, the event to determine 14 spots in the tournament field is pushed back one day.
Wednesday -- Pro-Am.
Thursday -- First round.
Friday -- Second round; field cut from 156 players to 60 (plus ties).
Saturday -- Third round, featuring Youth Day activities sponsored by Albertson's and Pepsi. Children 17 and under are admitted free. Special events, including an exhibition by trick-shot artist Peter Johncke, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Participants can test their putting, chipping and driving skills in the Youth Zone.
Sunday -- Final round, presentation of $76,500 winner's check.
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