30 May 2007
Provo, Utah — The return of defending champion Brett Wayment and the appearance of Hall of Famer Billy Casper are only a few of the highlights for the Provo Open this week at East Bay Golf Course. The biggest media pull has been the return of past contender, and near favorite local, Thom Archibald.
Wayment, the 2006 champion, returns to defend his title when the 54-hole championship begins on Thursday, while Archibald returns from a two year religious sabbatical in which his golf career was put on hold. They will each be challenged by two-time winner Tommy Johnson and defending Utah Open champion Pete Stone. Former BYU star Jake Ellison, who turned pro after the Cougar season ended at the NCAAs last week, is also a key hopeful. While Archibald's return has gotten the media more heavily involved than any previous year, the show-stopper has been the absence of last year's favorite, Thom's brother Chris. The father of the two will also not be making an appearance this week, at least not as a player - He has verbally agreed to caddy for Thom through Friday, though it is unclear if the two have signed any contracts together.
Thom, now the only Archibald with a hope at the 2007 Crystal "Claret" Jug, feels the weight on his shoulders. "I always looked forward to the day Chris and I could play in the final day, the last pairing together. We have acted that situation out countless times before during our F.A.T.M.A.N. matches, so we each know just how it goes... he wins every fifth one.* With him gone, I feel like the responsibility is on me - two-fold" Thom said after his practice round Wednesday, in which he mentioned he made sure he "saw all of the course."
Casper, Provo Open champion in the 1980s, also a two time US Open Champion and Masters champion, made his legendary appearance Tuesday during the Sponsors tournament.
"We believe this year will hold an exciting week of golf with some outstanding competition," said tournament director Randy Dodson. "Having Billy Casper in town Tuesday gave us a chance to thank him and give him much deserved recognition for a legendary golf career, as well as turning our focus to the up and coming careers of the youngsters", speaking of Archibald.
This tournament is also a great preparation for many who are still trying to climb up the 2007 AGA points standings to recieve an invitation to July's ILCRICC event in Southern Utah, where only the elitest of golfers play.
I hope everyone will have as good of a time as this reporter watching this week's Open, whether catching the Live CBS coverage, lead by Jim Nantz, or in person. After all, admission is still free...
*Quetzel Miller III is unsure of the validity of this statistic, and cannot be held responsible if it is incorrect
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