71 Honored at 26th Annual UJGA Awards Banquet There’s no secret that the same names appear on the top of the Utah Junior Golf Assn. leaderboards week after week. But for three whose names appeared regularly during the season, they attained that lofty position atop the leaderboard by spending countless hours perfecting their game. Johnny Miller Player of the Year Brandon Kida increased his daily practice time by another hour working on wedge and tee shots. Belle Fellows Player of the Year Amanda Snyder woke up every day with one thought in mind – chasing a little white golf ball around the golf course. Bruce Summerhays Golfer of the Year Arman Ben-Jacob concentrated on perfecting his wedge and putting game. These three joined 68 others, who were honored for their year’s achievements at the annual UJGA Banquet Oct. 25 at Alpine Country Club. Although the award recipients comprise only 15 percent of the UJGA membership, they owe their success to the remaining 85 percent, said Executive Director Jeff Thurman. “They push you. They make you practice longer,” he said. “Keep that in mind.” Ben-Jacob said he realized after the first tournament that he had not progressed as quickly over the off season as his fellow competitors. He knew he had to do something to get back to his competitive state. “I entered the season too cocky,” he said. “I saw everyone else had improved a lot and I knew I needed to do something to improve.” He began working on his wedge, which tends to be his most common club going to the green. Putting practice was also high on his list of daily practice. Ben-Jacob began the season placing 13th in the St. George tournament. After his wake-up call, he quickly moved up the leaderboard. He won the last four tournaments of the year and placed second in three others. He was also the medalist in the SWIRE Cup at Thanksgiving Point, a tournament which pitted him against the best golfers in each of the Zions Bank Championship Series divisions. “I would be shooting in the 80s without that extra work,” he said. “Now I am shooting in the 60s and 70s." Extra work also propelled Brandon Kida to the top. He said he entered the new older Johnny Miller Division just hoping to be competitive since he would be a youngster among those in the 15-18 age division. He changed his expectations after winning the first tournament of the season – The Preview at The Ledges. He said he decided to increase his practice time each day and concentrated on his short game and accuracy. As a result, he said he began hitting the ball a lot farther. “I was doing anything I could to keep up with the older guys,” he said. “I don’t like losing one bit.” Kida said he plans to step up his practice time even further next year so that he can remain competitive. |