The Utah PGA Family is sad to announce the passing of Utah PGA Life Century Member, Via Wightman. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lynn and the entire Wightman family.
Via was the Head Professional at Holyoke Country Club of Massachusetts for 25 years before moving to Utah and joining the Utah PGA Family in 2014. Via’s children, who are accomplished players, made their way to Utah through college golf, which proved to be a blessing for all of us here in Utah.
Via’s legacy in golf will continue through his family and the lives he touched. Including his daughter Juli Erekson, current Utah Valley University Women’s Head Coach and Tele Wightman, the current Head Professional at Thanksgiving Point. Via also has numerous grandkids who are up-and-coming junior golfers (including the Wightmans, Ereksons and Ofahengaues). There is no doubt many of those grandkids will follow in their grandfather’s footsteps in the professional golf world.
He had a passion for junior golf and assisting high school and college golfers improve their game. You would find him often roaming the fairways watching his various family members compete in Utah golf events. This support will be carried on through his wife Lynn and their dog “Baby” who are just as involved as Via was.
The Utah golf community is extremely blessed to have the Wightman family and we offer them our deepest condolences.