Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association announce a strategic statewide partnership as Bank of Utah becomes the “Official Banking Partner of the Utah Golf Association”
Bank of Utah Championship to bring PGA TOUR stars to Black Desert Resort October 1-4
IVINS, Utah (MAY 13, 2026) - The PGA TOUR’s Bank of Utah Championship announced today that the tournament will award a sponsor exemption to the winner of the Utah State Amateur Championship.
The announcement is part of a strategic statewide partnership between Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association that positions the bank as the “Official Banking Partner of the Utah Golf Association,” with the Bank of Utah Championship serving as a platform for elevating Utah golfers and the sport statewide.
The Bank of Utah Championship will bring the PGA TOUR’s stars to Black Desert Resort for the third straight year Oct. 1-4, 2026.
“Bank of Utah has always believed in the importance of investing in the people, organizations and experiences that help strengthen communities across our state,” said Branden Hansen, President of Bank of Utah. “As a Utah-founded community bank and statewide financial partner, this partnership with the Utah Golf Association and the Bank of Utah Championship reflects our commitment to Utah golf at every level, from local players and historic championships to Utah’s opportunity to host an official PGA TOUR event at Black Desert Resort.”
The sentiment was echoed by the Utah Golf Association, which views the collaboration as a vital step for the sport's regional growth.
“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to continue elevating golf across Utah while creating stronger connections between our players, championships and the PGA TOUR stage,” said Easton Folster, Executive Director of the Utah Golf Association. “Bank of Utah shares our commitment to supporting Utah communities, honoring the traditions of the game, and investing in opportunities that help grow golf statewide.”
"Elevating Utah golf and creating pathways for our state's best players to compete at the highest level is what Black Desert Resort and the Bank of Utah Championship are all about. Nothing excites us more than watching a homegrown champion step onto that stage and show the world what Utah golf is made of," said Ashley Dove, Executive Director of the Bank of Utah Championship.
Qualifying rounds for the Utah State Amateur Championship — one of Utah’s most historic amateur golf championships — begin statewide May 14. The championship will be held July 6-11 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course, with significant stakes as players compete for a spot in the Bank of Utah Championship.
Since its inception, the Bank of Utah Championship has supported Utah’s thriving golf community by extending sponsor exemptions to players with local ties. Bowen Mauss, the 2025 Utah State Amateur champion, and Preston Summerhays, the State Amateur winner in 2018 and 2019, played on sponsor exemptions in 2024 and 2025, respectively. This partnership further solidifies the tournament’s support of Utah talent.
In addition to the tournament exemption, Bank of Utah will become the presenting partner of the Utah Golf Association’s player recognition programs, including Champion of the Month and Player of the Week. These awards will highlight the achievements of local golfers all year long, allowing Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association to share the stories of talented players across the state.
About Bank of Utah
Founded in Ogden in 1952, Bank of Utah has been part of the state’s story for more than 70 years. We’ve supported small businesses and helped individuals and families build their futures in communities across Utah — from quiet mountain towns to thriving city centers. With 18 full-service branches, dedicated trust teams, and mortgage specialists throughout the state, Bank of Utah provides personal service and forward-thinking financial tools. The bank’s comprehensive offerings include business and personal banking, mortgage and commercial lending, personal and corporate trust services, and wealth management and investment services.
Recognized as one of the Top 20 U.S. Community Banks of 2025 by S&P Global Market Intelligence and named Utah’s Best Bank by GOBankingRates in 2025, Bank of Utah blends local insight with award-winning strength. Whether it’s the little details in a banking experience or the big moments in life, Bank of Utah is here to help Utahns succeed. Our commitment is to remain strong, trustworthy, advanced, secure and appreciative — to work side by side with clients on their financial journeys, so they can confidently say: “This is my Utah. Bank of Utah is my bank.” Learn more at bankofutah.com or call 801-409-5000.
About Utah Golf Association
The Utah Golf Association, the governing body of amateur golf in Utah, is a not-for-profit organization whose objective is to protect, grow and enhance the game of golf by providing golfers of all abilities and classifications the opportunity to play, serve and compete by way of a UGA membership. The UGA was officially incorporated in 1966, but its history dates back to 1899 when the very first Utah State Amateur Championship was held. The Utah State Amateur is proudly recognized as the “Oldest Continuously Held Golf Tournament in the World.”
More information about the Utah Golf Association can be found at UGA.org.
About Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort
Following its historic debut in 2024 — the first PGA TOUR event held in Utah in more than 60 years — the Bank of Utah Championship will return to Black Desert Resort in Southern Utah’s Greater Zion region Oct. 1-4. Tickets and VIP opportunities for the Bank of Utah Championship are officially on sale at www.bankofutahchampionship.com.
About Black Desert Resort
Set amidst the vermillion sandstone cliffs and striking black lava beds of Greater Zion, Black Desert Resort, is a premier destination for luxury hospitality, golf, and outdoor adventure. Anchored by a Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course, the resort is home to the PGA TOUR’s Bank of Utah Championship, the only Utah event on the TOUR. In addition, the Greater Zion Cup, a premier Carvana PPA Tour event, is held on the property’s newly designed championship pickleball courts. The Resort Center features 549 rooms and suites, seven dining venues, a 15,000-square-foot spa, state-of-the-art pickleball courts, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Expansion plans include additional pickleball courts, a water park, and more accommodations, dining, and entertainment options. Spanning over 600 acres, the resort offers access to 200+ acres of preserved land and six miles of hiking trails.
Reef Capital Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development, and operations firm dedicated to enhancing communities through transformative and impactful projects across North America. Its portfolio includes marquee destinations such as Black Desert Resort, Marcella Club, Cornerstone Golf Club, Tributer Resort, Cormont, and Sweetens Cove. Learn more at www.reefcp.com.
