Idaho’s Aldridge Wins Inaugural Sand Hollow Open

Claiming he “…came here to win,” the Sand Hollow Open presented by the Leavitt Group, Idaho’s Tyler Aldridge did just that shooting a three day total of 195 on the par 72 Championship Course at Sand Hollow Resort. Aldridge’s 21-under score was four strokes better than Nick Mason and local pro Dusty Fielding who tied for second place with (-17) 199.

The 30 professionals and two amateurs that survived the 36-hole cut also had to survive a four hour weather delay to start the final round Saturday morning. A massive thunder storm with torrential rain and lightening kept players in the clubhouse watching the Ryder Cup until the final round could start at noon.

The golf course held up well withstanding many hours of inclement weather especially during the start of the final round. “We felt pretty confident that once the storm moved on we could get back on the course and get the final round completed,” said Dave Wilkey of Sand Hollow Resort. “The Championship Course is nationally recognized as one of the top 50 Resort Courses in the country, and seeing such a large number of high quality players from across the country is exciting.  I’m very happy that we got the final round in. We are going to make next year’s Open even better, and hope to draw even more nationally and statewide players.”

Aldridge pocketed $15,000 for the win and some confidence has he and many others in the field prepared for the upcoming Web.Com Tour Qualifying Tournament. Aldridge has a taste for golf at the highest level as he once played the PGA TOUR and Web.Com Tour and most recently with PGA TOUR Canada. His best finish coming at the 2009 Utah Championship presented by the Utah Sports Commission. Aldridge’s last win came at the 2006 Idaho Open.

Zac Blair and Steve Freisen finished tied for fourth place at 16-under, 200. Former BYU golfer Justin Keiley shot a 9-under, 207 to capture low amateur honors. Dixie State’s Hayden Christensen was the only other amateur to make the cut and finished at 5-under, 211 tied for 20^th place with Utah golf legend Jimmy Blair.

Tournament organizers and sponsors are pleased with their first year tournament. Director of Golf Adam Jasperson said, “We are very pleased with the strength of our field for its first year. We hope the tournament grows and that many of these golfers will spread the word about the tournament and the golf course.”

The tournament purse of $68,000 attracted many former tour and mini-tour players looking ahead to upcoming Q-school. Many of the participants are searching for a place to play as they try to keep their games sharp as they enter the annual grind to Web.Com Tour status. The money doesn’t hurt either with all final round players receiving a check.

Utah’s Governor Gary Herbert was on hand to watch some of the action of the first-year event, “This is a fantastic new tournament for this area of the state. Sand Hollow is a fantastic golf course, and it has attracted a very qualified field. It’s a great golf course, a good purse and a strong field, for the first go round here this is pretty impressive.”

“We wanted a tournament that would attract this type of field. These guys are good players in search of places to play this time of year. We are thrilled with our first year and looking forward to growing the Sand Hollow Open, said Jasperson.

The Resort at Sand Hollow is a premier destination to Escape. Play. Discover. Relax. Home of Utah’s favorite golf course, the resort also offers local opportunities for boating, motor sports, biking, and hiking at Sand Hollow Reservoir, the Sand Mountain Dunes, and Utah’s top-rated Zion National Park. Reasonably-priced full time, seasonal, and overnight rental options provide a spectacular backdrop to relax and unwind.

Sand Hollow Resort is owned and operated by Roche Enterprises, Ltd., a company that invests in a broad range of industry sectors, including consumer products, media, hospitality, real estate, financial, energy, and logistics. Founded by businessman and philanthropist Robert W. Roche, the company specializes in the U.S., Japan, and China markets and manages large real estate holdings worldwide.