The Bank of Utah Championship returns to Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, for its third edition, serving as the second of eight stops in the FedExCup Fall series, according to a tournament preview by Rob Bolton on PGATour.com. The 120-player field faces a venue sitting at roughly 3,000 feet of elevation that features expansive bentgrass fairways and greens, flanked by distinctive black lava rock rather than traditional heavy rough.
Course Layout and Elevation Challenges at Black Desert Resort
Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith, Black Desert Resort utilizes a setting marked by the Great Basin, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado Plateau. According to Bolton’s preview, the layout restricts typical flora growth, allowing players and spectators wide-open views across the terrain. The course tips at 7,421 yards, but shots play shorter because the resort sits 3,000 feet above sea level, requiring constant distance adjustments from the field.
Rather than penalizing missed drives with thick vegetation, the course relies on expansive black lava rock for unplayable lies, keeping findability straightforward while placing the true test on second shots. In its first two years, the venue ranked among the easiest par-71s on the PGA Tour, yielding a scoring average of 69.811 last year. Bentgrass fairways average roughly 11.5 hits out of 14 per round, while greens measure around 7,000 square feet each.
Scoring Dynamics and Putting Precision
While players frequently find the short grass, converting scoring opportunities demands precise iron play and deft putting. Bolton reported that Black Desert ranked fourth-toughest across the PGA Tour in conversion percentage from 4 to 8 feet during its first two seasons. The greens also landed inside the top 10 for all putts inside 10 feet and inside the top five from 10 to 15 feet. Stimpmeter readings target 12.5 feet on the putting surfaces as the week progresses.
Pro Tip: At 3,000 feet of altitude, players cannot rely purely on standard yardage books. Constant adjustments are necessary to account for the thinner air altering ball flight distances into large, fast greens.
Weather Forecast and Tournament Schedule
Mother Nature is projected to cooperate following an initial wave of moisture. Rain originating from two tropical systems in the eastern Pacific Ocean is expected to impact the area through Tuesday, helping greens reach the targeted 12.5 Stimpmeter speed. Once that system clears, the remainder of the tournament features clear skies, light winds, and daytime temperatures approaching 90 degrees.
The competition marks a critical juncture for participants chasing end-of-season goals during the FedExCup Fall. Bolton provides ongoing coverage for PGATour.com, releasing Power Rankings on Mondays, Sleepers on Tuesdays, and concluding with points, payouts, and qualifiers on Sundays.
Bank of Utah Championship course details at Black Desert Resort
Where is the Bank of Utah Championship held?
The tournament takes place at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, just outside St. George, Utah.
What makes the course setup unique on the PGA Tour?
Black Desert Resort is built directly upon expansive black lava rock, offering wide bentgrass fairways and 7,000-square-foot greens while sitting at approximately 3,000 feet of altitude.
How does the altitude affect play?
The 3,000-foot elevation causes golf balls to travel farther than at sea level, forcing players to constantly adjust their desired distances even though the course measures 7,421 yards from the tips.
What are the expected weather conditions for the tournament rounds?
After early rain from eastern Pacific tropical systems through Tuesday, forecasts project clear skies, light winds, and daytime temperatures near 90 degrees for the remainder of the week.
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