Bringing the Swing Back to Utah Summer Games

Published: March 15, 2018 | Author: Haven Scott | Read Time: 2 minutes

The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games is adding some swing to the 2018 games by partnering with Southern Utah University’s Community on the Go program and Byron Casper, son of PGA legend Billy Casper, and offering golf, a sport that hasn’t been present at the games since 2015.

“The great thing about this golf tournament is that it is for all athletes in Utah no matter their skill level,” said Pace Clarke, Director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. “This is a tournament where family members who golf can bring their kids and play together in a fun, yet formal environment.”

Clarke said their office gets questions every year about the possibility of golf returning to the games that bring an average of 9,200 athletes competing in 40 sports, and their family members, to Cedar City every summer.

“Approximately 35,000 people make their way to the Utah Summer Games to participate or watch a family member participate, and a lot of them love to golf,” he said. “So we are proud to offer golf once again for these athletes.”

SUU Community on the Go Director Melynda Thorpe is an avid golfer, so when she heard the Utah Summer Games needed help organizing the golf tournament it was an easy decision.

“Our office exists to reinforce the important relationship between SUU and the community that supports us,” Thorpe said. “Part of that mission is creating fun events for community members. When we learned the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games was looking to bring golf back into their lineup, it is something that we were excited about.”

Casper, a St. George resident, will be the guest host of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games golf tournament on June 15, and will also teach a one-day community education golf clinic. Casper’s father, Billy, was one of the most prolific professional golfers on the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour for more than two decades.

In 2007, Byron moved to Utah and became the first golf professional with GolfTEC Utah and a certified coach and master club fitter for all major golf brands. Byron has published two books on golfing, and is actively involved in the Billy Casper Youth Foundation, a youth golfing charity.

“I have been fortunate to have had many unique life experiences due to my father,” Casper said. “My strategy in teaching is simple — helping my students to understand their own swings and making them the best golfer they can be with the minimum amount of changes to their game.”

For more information about the Byron Casper Putt, Chip and Swing clinic, or registering for the 2018 Utah Summer Games golf tournament, visit suu.edu/wise, email bewise@suu.edu  or call (435) 865-8529.

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Tags: Community on the Go Community and Professional Development

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