Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1995
- Class:
- 1984
The first golfer chosen for the Hall of Fame; Utley led Missouri to the Big Eight Championship in 1984. He also led the Tigers to two NCAA appearances where the Tigers placed 13th and 14th respectively, in 1983 and ‘84. A three-time all-Big Eight selection and two-time all-American, Utley, a native of Thayer, Missouri, starred on the Nike professional golf tour, where he won three times, and ranked among its top-ten money winners. He also played on the PGA Tour and won the Chattanooga Classic in 1989. He won the Kansas Open in 1986, and the Missouri Open in 1988 and ’89. Utley holds the PGA Tour record for fewest putts in nine holes, with six at the 2002 Air Canada Championship. As his touring career was winding down, Utley transitioned to teaching with a focus on his specialty – the short game. He rose to prominence as one of the best instructors in the game. Some of his notable students have included Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Kevin Streelman, Darren Clarke, Rocco Mediate, Paul McGinley and Bill Haas. He made his Champions Tour debut in 2012 at the Toshiba Classic. While touring, he hosted a “Go for the Gold” skins game in Columbia that raised money to benefit the Rainbow House, before relocating to Arizona.
