Patrick Manning had a dream when he began creating and building the Black Desert Resort outside of St. George a few years ago: to someday host a PGA Tour event on the site. That became a reality last October with the return of the tour to Utah for the first time in 60 years.
At a ceremony July 1, both the tour and the resort gained an important new partner going forward. The Bank of Utah has signed on as sponsor of the event for the next three years. It will now be called the Bank of Utah Championship. This year’s tourney is set for Oct. 23-26.
PGA Tour Vice President of Tournament Business Kelly Jensen joined with Bank of Utah President Branden Hansen, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and Reef Capital Partners CEO Jared Lucero in making the announcement.
“After celebrating a successful return to Utah last year, the PGA TOUR is pleased to introduce Bank of Utah as title sponsor of our event at Black Desert Resort, which received rave reviews from Tour players and families following the inaugural 2024 tournament,” said Tyler Dennis, PGA Tour chief competitions officer.
“This partnership with Bank of Utah represents more than a title sponsorship; it’s a shared commitment to shaping Utah’s future through world-class experiences,” said Lucero of Reef Capital Partners, the Utah-based development and real estate firm responsible for Black Desert Resort. “Together, we’re proud to showcase what’s possible when visionary companies invest in the power of sport, tourism and community. The Bank of Utah Championship isn’t just a tournament; it’s a statement about where Utah is headed.”
“Utah is an iconic place of striking beauty and innovative spirit — and Black Desert Resort captures both," said Hansen. “As Utah grows into a premier destination for professional sports, we’re proud to invest in events that elevate our state, strengthen local economies and create meaningful experiences for our clients and communities. This partnership is more than a sponsorship; it celebrates what makes Utah exceptional and serves as a powerful platform to drive long-term impact across the state.”
Last October, the initial PGA Tour event at Black Desert was won by Tour rookie Matt McCarty, who traversed the lava-lined course for a three-stroke victory in just his third start. He is expected to return in defense of his title in October.
Black Desert is also part of the LPGA Tour circuit, having hosted an event in April and set to host tourneys for at least the next two seasons as well. Played against the stunning backdrop of Southern Utah’s red rock mountains, the par-72 Black Desert course was designed by Phil Smith and the late Tom Weiskopf, the final design from the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee. The course also serves as home for the Utah Tech University men’s and women’s golf teams, and hosts a number of events all year long.