PROVO, Utah -- The Utah Open is this week at Riverside Country in Provo, and once again the Special Olympics is the designated charity with contributions expected to reach more than $50,000 this year.
Monday was the annual Short Game Challenge. Local media members teamed up with a Special Olympian in a nine-hole tournament.
“It’s fun to see these kids come every time and enjoy it, but to me this is what it’s about all week,” said Devin Dehlin of the PGA Utah Section.
Awards were handed out to the top three finishers. Chris Briseno and Jazz broadcaster Ron Boone won the event.
“They’re enjoying what they’re doing,” Boone said of the Special Olympians. “They get a chance to putt around and when they make it you see how excited they are.”
Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune and his partner Jennifer Jensen came in second place.
“We did pretty good, didn’t we,” said Drew to Jensen. “And of course the reason why is Jennifer made a hole-in-one.”
FOX 13’s Jeff Rhineer teamed up with T.J. Hancock to finish third. But at the end of the day, everyone involved with this event went home a winner.
“I play with a different partner every year and I’ve made friends I look forward to seeing,” said Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune. “The Special Olympians really have a good spirit about this event. They play with confidence and I can learn from that.”
