ST. GEORGE — Local golfers will get the chance to play one of the best courses in Utah. Should their spouse object, they can claim they are donating their time towards cancer research.
The Southern Utah Golf Classic — benefiting the American Cancer Society – takes place October 5-6 at Black Desert Resort in Ivins.
Co-chairman Matt Heaton, who organized the event along with his wife and co-chair Kara Heaton, told St. George News that there are still about 10-12 spots available for four-person teams.
“We’re super excited and grateful to be partnering with Black Desert Resort,” Heaton said.
The event features a catered dinner, live auction and paddle raise at the resort on the night of Thursday, Oct. 5 and then a breakfast and golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 6.
“We’re looking for those teams to register, and we’re looking for any other sponsorship dollars or donations in kind for items that we can auction off. It’s a great opportunity to bring some dollars in for cancer research,” Heaton said.
A confluence of events brings the tournament to Black Desert Resort. As reported in St. George News, former PGA standout Tom Weiskopf designed the golf course at the resort in Ivins.
“Unfortunately he didn’t get to see the front-nine seeds grow,” Heaton said, adding that Weiskopf died from pancreatic cancer shortly before the course was completed.
“He was such an artist, such a creative course designer,” Heaton said. “It’s unfortunate that he didn’t get to see the course once it was completed. It’s an artistic and beautiful thing, he would have loved it.”
Weiskopf will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame class of 2024 in a ceremony at Pinehurst, North Carolina next summer before the U.S. Open.
Adding to the appeal of the course, Heaton said, was the recent announcement that Black Desert Resort will be hosting future professional tour events for both the PGA and LPGA.
“It really is a bucket list course for golfers in the state,” Heaton said. “Our event matches golfers who want to play the course and raise some money for the American Cancer Society.”
Heaton has a passionate connection to the cause.
After beating lymphoma twice in his 20’s, Heaton’s father died at age 61 due to cancer that was caused by the radiation treatments needed to defeat the lymphoma.
“My brother took it really hard when dad was diagnosed,” Heaton said. “He started taking my dad’s painkillers, which led to drug use, and overdose.”
“What my dad went through sent him in a spiral. He was only 25 when he died,” Heaton said. “Cancer causes pain that goes deep, it really affects people in lots of different ways. ACS does so much for patients and families, there’s so much value in what the ACS has to offer.”
Thursday night’s dinner will be catered by Street Eats, Heaton said, and will feature guest speakers, including former Brigham Young University basketball coach Dave Rose, who was recently inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.
Organizers also have the live auction and paddle raise planned for that night and music will be provided by Distortion, an 80’s cover band.
On Friday morning, Heaton said, Farmstead Bakery will provide breakfast. Then, players will have shopping opportunities provided by Asher Golf.
The tournament shotgun start will be at 8:30 a.m. Heaton said attendees can also participate in many different contests on various holes, including long drive, closest to the pin and hole-in-one contests.
Golfers interested in registering a foursome can find additional information here at the tournament’s website.
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