Author: N
Each year a Utah Senior Golfer is chosen as a “Senior Legend” in conjunction with the Utah Senior Open Golf Championship held at Toana Vista GC in Wendover. This year’s Senior Legend is Vaughn Barker owner of Fore Lakes Golf Course and patriarch of one of Utah’s best known golfing families. Each year the “Senior Legend Honoree” has their name included as part of the Senior Open Title and is additionally honored at a special banquet at the championship event.
Participants in the 2013 Vaughn Barker Utah Senior Open enjoyed a special dinner and awards ceremony honoring Barker. A Fairways Media video was played for the group and captured many of the accomplishment and contributions the Barker family has made to Utah golf over the years.
Vaughn Barker’s love affair with golf began early in the 1960’s. He was one of the top players in the state for many years battling for amateur golf titles with the likes of Jack Noble and Utah Hall of Fame member Jack Ridd. Barker won the prestigious National Golf Course Superintendents Association tournament. Winning the National GCSA event was a feat that his son Todd Barker would later accomplish, making them only father-son combination to hold the title.
Barker was always a contender for the Utah State Amateur title. At the age of 58 his final attempt to win was ended by eventual champion and son Todd Barker. Todd would later become a great Utah amateur player in his own right and eventually be installed in the Utah Golf Hall of Fame.
In 1974 Vaughn Barker elevated his love of game of golf by developing family land into the Fore Lakes Golf Course. This short course and driving range facility has been the starting point for many of Utah’s golfers. Through the Fore Lakes Golf Course and three generations of family Vaughn Barker has left a great imprint on Utah golf and especially the Taylorsville, Utah Area.
Vaughn turns 90 later this year and although he can’t play golf much any more his legacy and legend in golf lives on.
Click here to view the special Vaughn Barker tribute video courtesy of Fairways Media.