Several Cougar golf legends return to Provo for the men’s golf team event Cougar Day at Riverside Country Club today.
These legends include Johnny Miller, Mike Weir, Mike Reid, Dean Wilson, Keith Clearwater and Daniel Summerhays. Each of these individuals is or has been a PGA professional.
“I like to see the old players from BYU,” Miller said. “It’s a reunion and a good day.”
BYU director of golf Todd Miller said the event is a time for the team to come back together and celebrate.
“It’s a time for former players to come back and celebrate their accomplishments as a team,” he said. “It’s also a time to create some new memories.”
Miller said he sees this event as an opportunity to give back to the school and help the current golf team.
“It’s a day to help the school raise some money and it’s something I should do to give back to the school,” he said. “We don’t have huge boosters at BYU, so we need to help BYU have good golf teams this way. This sport depends on players giving back.”
Part of this year’s Cougar Day will honor former Cougar Karl Tucker, who has passed away. Tucker was a star golfer at BYU and won the NCAA championship in 1981.
Tucker started the event in 1974, and this is the first time he will not participate. Tucker will be honored during a clinic at the event.
“They will all honor Karl Tucker and share some memories they have of him,” Todd Miller said. “He created a great tradition with great players.”
Miller also said the golf program wants to create a scholarship program in his memory.
Before the golfers tee off, they will host a clinic that is open to the public. At this clinic they will talk about experiences on the PGA Tour and share golf insights and tips.
The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. at Riverside Country Club. Following the clinic, the golfers will tee-off at 10 a.m. The public is invited to watch them golf, as well.
Johnny Miller has participated in 15 Cougar Days and said he looks forward to the event each year.
“It’s a fun day and it’s good for golf,” he said.
