This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
MIDVALE - Think Utah high school-age girls aren't excited about having a golf league of their own?
Think again.
That's what the Utah High School Activities Association's Executive Committee learned at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, as the principals who represent each of the UHSAA's 19 regions reported how many girls from their areas signed up for golf the past few weeks.
Literally hundreds across the state registered to play golf for their respective schools, and the inaugural girls golf season has started with more eager participants than even the most ardent supporters of the move to add the sport envisioned.
"Almost made me cry, when I heard those numbers," said Annie Fisher, programs director for the Utah Section PGA and the woman who spearheaded the drive.
Every school in Class 5A except Kearns will field a team (at least four golfers) and some had close to 30 girls express interest. In 4A, every school but Granger and Cyprus will field teams, and in 3A all but two schools (both in Region 8) will participate.
Schools north of Salt Lake City (Regions 1, 5 and 11) are especially full of willing competitors, although Sky View principal Dee Ashcroft said the sheer amount of interested girls in his area has caused some heartburn for operators of the nearby golf course, Birch Creek. About half the schools in 2A and one-third in 1A will have teams.
The numbers have caused the UHSAA to line up a second golf course for the state tournaments. Now, the 4A/5A tournament will be held May 13 at Davis Park and the 1A/2A/3A tournament will be May 14 at Rose Park.
In 3A, 4A and 5A, regions will conduct their own tournament and determine how many players score for each team and similar concerns. The Utah Section PGA will conduct a series of 9-hole tournaments and clinics for girls from 1A and 2A schools.
Many schedules will be posted on the Utah Golf Association's Web site (http://www.uga.org) as well as the UHSAA's Web site (http://www.uhsaa.org).
Scott Whittaker, executive director of the Utah PGA, said his association will pick up the costs of running the state tournaments, including greens fees. Joe Watts of the UGA said his organization will have some limited funding and resources available "because we don't want a school not competing because they don't have funds."
Highlights
UHSAA executive committee business:
* Approved various rules and dates regarding the first girls golf season
* Voted to bring two Bountiful boys basketball players in for a sportsmanship hearing
* Moved this season's 4A and 3A baseball state tournaments from Ogden to Kearns
* Placed next year's 4A and 5A boys basketball tournaments at the E Center