Big hitters of all ages have chance to shine this weekend at Coral Canyon Golf Course

Golfers at the 19th annual Utah State Long Drive Championship will hit down this fairway at Coral Canyon Golf Course, Washington City, Utah, June 8, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Fans of golfing the long ball will get a chance to win some money and have a good time at Coral Canyon Golf Course Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, in Washington City.

PGA general manager Marco Leoni in the tent for the golfers at the 19th annual Utah State Long Drive Championship at Coral Canyon Golf Course, Washington City, Utah, June 8, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

The 19th annual Utah State Long Drive Championship offers competition in several age groups to determine who can hit the longest drive.

Marco Leoni, PGA general manager at Coral Canyon, told St. George News that the first few long drive championships were at Southgate Golf Course and he has helped organize it at Coral Canyon for the last 10 years.

“It’s a lot of fun. We have always had strong fields, from professional long drivers coming into town to local amateurs to our youth in town, 17 and under boys and girls,” Leoni said in the pro shop at Coral Canyon on Thursday.

“We have fields for 40-plus, 50-plus and 60-plus age groups,” Leoni added. “I think the oldest guy we’ve ever had was 75 years old.” 

More information about the long drive championship, including how to register, is found on The Fan Sports Network.

The Drive host Devin Dixon will be at the event both days, and St. George News will provide coverage of the final round Saturday night.

“It’s hard to say who’s going to show up because there’s an event out in Colorado this weekend,” Leoni said. “But we anticipate a strong and large field.”

Fans can watch all the different age groups hit, and Leoni said a beverage cart will be available to keep people hydrated.

“And we have music playing so you can listen to some tuneage,” Leoni said. “We just have fun with the crowd, tell jokes. Spencer Wallace from Tee Box will be here with his Trackman system, so we’re going to be able to get some real PGA tour-level numbers.”

The tee box at the 19th annual Utah State Long Drive Championship at Coral Canyon Golf Course, Washington City, Utah, June 8, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Spin rate, accurate distances and launch angles will be monitored for each golfer.

“That’s what’s cool to see sometimes, especially with these big ball hitters, to see what they’re actually hitting,” Leoni said.

Leoni said that prizes and cash pots are up for grabs, depending on what bracket you’re in.

“We take all the entry money and we pretty much put it all back in, minus expenses,” he said. 

The full schedule for the event includes the Camping World 18-hole tournament Saturday morning, a four-man scramble that will benefit the boys and girls golf teams at Desert Hills High School.

Leoni encouraged fans to bring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating. Limited bleachers will be available but people like to spread out on the rocks and grass and relax while they watch, he said.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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