Author: N
Jay Don Blake is the first Utah native to play regularly on the PGA Tour, and is currently playing on the PGA Champions Tour. The St. George native played college golf at Utah State University and is perhaps Utah’s greatest collegiate player. He won the NCAA medalist honors in 1980 and was runner-up the following year and was named NCAA Player of the Year. On the PGA Tour he won the Shearson Lehman Brothers Open in 1991. He has career earnings of more than $6.5 million.
Dan Forsman has won five times on the PGA Tour, twice on the PGA Champions Tour, and has career earnings of nearly $9 million. He has lived in Utah since his collegiate days at Arizona State and is a member of Riverside Country Club. He has been very supportive of Utah golf activities.
Todd Barker, part owner and superintendent of Fore Lakes Golf Course, was one of Utah’s top amateurs during the 80s and 90s, He was named UGA Player of the Year five times, in 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1997. No other player has been named UGA Player of the Year more than twice. He won the Utah State Amateur championship in 1997, and has won the Golf Course Superintendents National championship twice.
The Utah Golf Hall of Fame is jointly sponsored by the Utah Golf Association and the Utah Section of the PGA and selections are made by a joint committee of the two organizations along with several selected members of the media. The Utah Golf Association is responsible for housing the Hall of Fame and conducting the induction ceremonies.
This will mark the seventh induction ceremony and bring the total number of honorees to 33. The most recent induction ceremony was held in 2007 with Mike Reid, Bob Betley, and Marcia Thayne being inducted.
Here is a special Message to Utah Section PGA Golf Professionals from President Jared Barnes and UGA President Bill Probst:
Dear Utah Section PGA Professional,
The Utah Golf Association and the Utah Section of the PGA are joint sponsors of the Utah Golf Hall of Fame and we are seeking your support of the Seventh Induction Ceremony to be held Wednesday, May 11, at Hidden Valley Country Club. Being inducted are Jay Don Blake, Todd Barker, and Dan Forsman.
We would like to see as many professionals as possible at this gala. This event only comes along every three years or so and it is one of our important social gatherings that helps bring together and unite all aspects of Utah golf. Please be part of this great golf get-together.
It is a black tie-optional event, which means there will be a mix of tuxedos, suits, and sports suits. Tickets are $50 per plate.
We would like to ask each head professional to encourage at least four others to attend and sit together. It’s a wonderful chance to socialize with your golfing friends or other club members while honoring our “Hall of Famers” and supporting the game we love. If the professional brings four others then admission is free for the pro. As a recognized function of the Utah PGA all professionals in attendance will receive points toward certification. Reservations are being taken at the Utah Golf Association, 801-563-0400.
There will be a no-host reception at 5:15 p.m. and dinner will start at 6:30. The gala will conclude before 9 p.m.
Sincerely,
Jared Barnes, President
Utah Section PGA
Bill Probst, President
Utah Golf Association