Utah Locals Set To Compete In Utah’s Latest PGA Event
Sep 12, 2024, 10:21 AM | Updated: 10:23 am
Mike Weir of Canada is presented with the green jacket by Tiger Woods of the USA after winning the play off after the final round of the 2003 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 13, 2003. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Southern Utah is preparing to welcome the professional golf world for mid-October’s inaugural Black Desert Championship. Several local faces litter the field, adding a Beehive State flair to the Greater Zion area.
The Black Desert Championship occurs Thursday, October 10, through Sunday, October 13. The 2024 Black Desert Championship begins a four-year partnership between Black Desert Resort and the PGA TOUR.
Come join @utahjazz at the PGA tour at Black Desert Resort
Make sure to GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH because prices will go up!
October 9th – 13th
Nice shot DWill 🤣👌 pic.twitter.com/ohjeTQJGGQ
— Thurl Bailey (@bigTbailey) September 5, 2024
“The Black Desert Championship is truly Utah’s tournament, and we invite the entire state to come out and support their local heroes,” said Patrick Manning, Managing Partner of Black Desert Resort.
Manning continued, “We’re excited to offer exemptions to Mike, Peter, and Kihei and are thrilled to have them join our field in October. It’s also an honor to welcome 2024 Presidents Cup International Captain Mike Weir and to highlight the incredible talent of Kihei Akina, recognized as one of the nation’s top junior golfers. Additionally, we’re pleased that former BYU star Peter Kuest, along with standout alumni Patrick Fishburn and Zac Blair, are committed to competing.”
The Black Desert Championship breaks a 60-year drought for PGA TOUR golf in Utah.
Black Desert Championship features several Utahns in field
Five golfers from Utah are scheduled to participate in the tournament so far, led by 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir.
Mike Weir: The former BYU golfer turned pro in 1992 and has eight career PGA TOUR wins. Weir was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.
Kihei Akina: The Lone Peak H.S. senior is Golfweek’s top-ranked golfer in the class of 2024 and is committed to joining BYU in the fall.
Peter Kuest: Kuest was incredibly successful as a member of the BYU golf team in 2016-20. The American Fork resident won ten tournaments as a Cougar, including the 2017 West Coast Conference Championship.
Made in Southern Utah: Black Desert Resort's PGA Tour event delivers an unforgettable fan experiencehttps://t.co/G1D1qf6V5e
— St. George News (@STGnews) September 10, 2024
Jay Don Blake: A St. George native, Blake is scheduled to make the 500th PGA TOUR appearance of his career at the Black Desert Championship.
Zac Blair: The Salt Lake City native and BYU golf standout turned pro in 2014. Blair had two top-10 finishes and made 11 cuts in 28 starts during the 2022-23 season.
Patrick Fishburn: A two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year at BYU in 2017 and 2018, Fishburn turned pro in 2018. The Ogden, Utah native earned his PGA TOUR card after finishing 19th on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Points list.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s coverage of the Bees, Big League Utah, and Aggie athletics here.
