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118th Annual Utah State Amateur tees off next week

Posted at 10:04 PM, Jul 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-07 00:04:12-04

ALPINE, Utah -- The Utah State Amateur is the longest continuous golf tournament in the world, and the 118th edition tees off next week at Alpine Country Club.

This is the tournament the best amateur golfers circle on their calendars every year.

“It’s the only one,” said 2012 and 2014 champion Jon Wright. “It’s the one that I want to win the most.”

“It’s our big event,” said 2008 champion Dan Horner. “I think everyone works a little bit harder, puts a little more practice in before this week.”

There won’t be a defending champion, as last year's winner, Jordan Rodgers, is now a professional. But there are plenty of contenders, including Darrin Overson, who was the runner up last year and won this tournament in 1998.

“I think I would have the largest gap in between wins in the history of the State Amateur, and that’s what I’m looking for,” Overson said.

A couple of former champions were honored at Tuesday’s media day. Reid Goodliffe won the State Amateur in 1976 and Bruce Summerhays won it 50 years ago.

“I was fortunate to win as a junior, as a high school, I won in college, I’ve won as a professional, section championships and things, but nothing has ever topped the Utah State Amateur," Goodliffe said. "It’s number one and always will be.”