Dixie State golfers get tour of future home course, facilities at Black Desert Resort

IVINS — Dixie State University’s golf team got a look at its new soon-to-be practice facilities and home course at Black Desert Resort, and the Trailblazers have a lot to be excited about.

Tom Weiskopf, left, speaks to Dixie State golfers at Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 18, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

“It’s super sweet,” Triston Gardner, a DSU junior and former Snow Canyon High School standout, told St. George News. “It’s going to mean a lot to us. Super excited.”

“I think this will be big for recruiting,” Gardner added. “We already have really good recruiting with our privileges on playing all the courses around here. So it’s going to add a cherry on top of that.”

The design for the course at Black Desert was created by architects Phil Smith and Tom Weiskopf. Both were on site Friday afternoon to give the Trailblazers a guided tour of what’s to come in Ivins.

Weiskopf’s name is familiar to all fans of golf. The 16-time PGA Tour winner became famous for his duals against Jack Nicklaus throughout the 1970’s. Weiskopf’s signature victory was when he won the 1973 British Open in Troon, Scotland.

Talking with media and the Trailblazers, Weiskopf said that the links course in Troon is totally different from the course at Black Desert, mainly due to the lava rock that dominates the terrain.

“Here we have lava on all 18 holes,” Weiskopf said. “Only two holes have lava on the sides, 12 and 13.”

Weiskopf and Smith have designed golf courses all over the world in places like Scotland, Italy and Argentina. Among the states featuring their course designs are Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, California, Ohio and Michigan.

Weiskopf said that the course at Black Desert stands out on that list for one reason.

“There’s lots of change of direction from hole to hole,” he said. “Which really helps. If you look at all the really great courses all over the world, if you can keep changing direction then the wind affects everybody differently for 18 holes.”

Weiskopf works with Smith and the construction team as the course continues to evolve.

“The biggest challenge here was getting Tom’s ideas onto paper, then to the construction team,” Smith said. “They need a plan to follow. There’s so many great features in this state, you don’t want to miss out on them. And then you have to have room to golf.”

The site of the Dixie State University golf team’s future practice facility at Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 18, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Weiskopft was asked what is one piece of advice he’d give to college golfers hoping to make the move to the PGA.

“I think today I would really concentrate on my body being more supple. Being stronger,” Weiskopf answered. “I would get into a definite workout routine. We didn’t have that when I was playing.”

“And I think I would spend a lot more time on the short game aspect,” he added. “That’s where tournaments are won or lost.”

He also said the Trailblazers should work with coaches who inspire confidence.

“The only thing in golf that can hold you back is your scorecard,” Weiskopf said. “That’s the only thing. It’s a tough game. It demands a lot of stamina and perseverance, there’s no doubt about that.”

Another thing he would do, Weiskopf added, is work with a sports psychologist to help with the mental difficulties of the game.

“Nobody has all the answers, but I sure needed help,” Weiskopf said. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. Find somebody you can trust and believe in.”

Weiskopf and the Trailblazers talked about the definition of links golf, types of golf around the world, different types of terrain for courses and strategies for bunker design. 

Development officials said that the greatest care is being taken to protect the lava flows and preserve the natural scenic beauty of the area.

While the design of the course at Black Desert will not really suit it for professional play, it will provide an ideal destination for collegiate tournaments throughout the year.

That’s just one of the many benefits the Trailblazers see at their future home course.

“It’ll be a huge deal. It’s a game changer,” Dixie State assistant golf coach Spencer Dunaway said. “As a golf team and as a program it will be monumental. We already have the best weather in the state, and now with this facility, we will have the best facility in the state.”

“We’ll be able to bring in the best of the best and the highest level recruits, both in the state and in the nation,” Dunaway added. 

Development officials expect construction of the Black Desert Resort and Dixie State’s new home golf course and practice facilities to be completed by the third quarter of 2024.

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