Author: By V. Scott Whittaker
Steve Schnieter of Sandy, UT took the first step to qualify to play in the PGA Senior National Championship. His first round 68 leads the 2014 John Evans Utah Senior Open Championship by two strokes. Over 100 Utah area PGA Professionals and local amateurs played the Toana Vista GC which is just over Utah’s west boarder in West Wendover, NV. The top 5 professional winners will participate in this fall’s PGA SR PNC Championship to be held at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on November 13-17, 2014. Other top professional scores after day one were Dave DeSantis, Outlaw GC (70); David Hall Entrada CC (71); and Scott Brandt, Bloominton CC (73). Brett Sampson (71) leads the amateur side of the event and is in contention for the overall championship. Close behind are amateurs Mike Jorgensen (72) Bill Probst (74); Rob Bachman (74).
One of the unique features of the Utah Senior Open Championship is that a Utah area senior amateur or professional is chosen each year to be honored for their contributions to Utah Golf. This year’s Honoree is John Evans long time PGA golf professional at Cedar Ridge GC in Cedar City, UT. The 2014 John Evans Utah Senior Open also featured and honors banquet on Wednesday evening. Many of John’s family, friends, and former SUU Golf Team members were there to highlight his professional and coaching career. [follow the banquet and honors video Utah Section PGA Facebook Page]
Special thanks go to our championship hosts and sponsors Toana Vista GC; Rainbow, Peppermill, and Montego Bay Hotels; and the Peppermill Concert Hall. National PGA Sponsors are the PGA/PGA Tour and Mercedes.