Bank of Utah Championship to bring PGA TOUR stars to Black Desert Resort October 1-4
The Bank of Utah Championship Trophy Tour presented by SkyWest, Inc. traveled across Utah Sept. 8-10, celebrating the people and organizations making a difference in their communities as the state prepares for the return of PGA TOUR golf to Black Desert Resort Oct. 1-4.
Hosted by Black Desert Resort and Bank of Utah, the multi-day tour centered around a simple question: “What makes a champion?”
The trophy served as a visual thread connecting people and communities across the state, with Utahns sharing their perspectives on the qualities that define a champion. The tour highlighted the idea that champions are not only found on a golf course, but also in schools, workplaces and communities — from teachers and mentors to volunteers, employees, community leaders and young people driving positive change.
“The Bank of Utah Championship trophy embodies Utah’s strength, and the tour celebrates the people and organizations statewide creating opportunities and strengthening their communities,” said Benjamin F. Browning, Chairman and CEO of Bank of Utah. “As title sponsor, we were honored to have the tour begin in Ogden, where our story began nearly 75 years ago, and to see it travel through the communities we serve. Its journey reflects the same spirit of connection and celebration that defines this tournament.”
SkyWest, Inc. served as presenting sponsor of the 2026 Trophy Tour, helping connect the trophy and the stories behind it as the tour traveled from northern to southern Utah.
“SkyWest is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the Bank of Utah Championship Trophy Tour and help connect the stories of champions across our home state,” said Chip Childs, President and CEO of SkyWest, Inc. “For more than 50 years, Utah has been home to SkyWest, and connecting people and communities is at the heart of what we do. We’re excited to help take this journey across the state, celebrate the people who make a difference in their communities and ultimately help welcome the trophy — and the excitement of the PGA TOUR — to Black Desert Resort.”
The 2026 trophy was once again designed and crafted by O.C. Tanner, a global leader in employee recognition known for creating custom awards for some of the world’s biggest stages.
In addition to helping organizations around the world build thriving workplace cultures through employee recognition solutions, O.C. Tanner has a long history of designing and manufacturing iconic custom awards. The Salt Lake City-based company created the medals for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and has produced commemorative rings for Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes since 2000. For more information, visit https://www.octanner.com/
Drawing inspiration from the wind-sculpted lava rock that surrounds Black Desert Resort, the trophy incorporates a bunker-style notch — modeled after Black Desert’s iconic 18th green — that functions as a natural handle. Curved lines reflect the region’s signature wind patterns, while topographic contours honor its origin in Ivins, Utah.
The green accents symbolize both the vibrant, well-manicured course and Bank of Utah’s brand color, while the trophy’s black exterior reflects the dramatic basaltic lava fields of Black Desert. The design thoughtfully unites Bank of Utah’s identity with the raw beauty and distinctive landscape of Southern Utah.
Throughout its journey across the state, the Trophy Tour highlighted community and charitable partners whose work is making an impact across Utah. From supporting students and families to introducing young people to the game of golf, each stop provided an opportunity to recognize the people and organizations strengthening their communities.
That spirit of achievement carries through to the competition at Black Desert Resort. In each of the tournament’s first two years, the eventual champion arrived at Black Desert seeking his first PGA TOUR victory and left as a PGA TOUR winner. Both the 2024 and 2025 champions earned their first career PGA TOUR titles at the Bank of Utah Championship, establishing the tournament as a stage for breakthrough moments and career-defining victories.
“The Trophy Tour is about far more than the trophy itself—it’s about celebrating what it truly means to be a champion and recognizing the people who embody that spirit every day,” said Ashley Dove, executive director of the Bank of Utah Championship. “With the support of Bank of Utah, SkyWest Inc., and our incredible partners, the Trophy Tour is bringing that spirit to communities across Utah and officially kicking off the countdown to tournament week. In just a few short weeks, the trophy will return to the world stage at the Bank of Utah Championship, where the world’s best golfers will compete for the honor of raising it and being crowned our next champion.”
The trophy tour featured a number of stops during the journey to Black Desert Resort
Tuesday, Sept. 8:
Bank of Utah Ogden
Roy High School Teen Center
First Tee at Mulligans (South Jordan)
Wednesday, Sept. 9:
Utah Golf Association at Oakridge Golf Course
Larry H Miller Family Foundation/Miller Sports & Entertainmen
Thursday, Sept. 10:
Snow Canyon with Greater Zion Tourism
SkyWest Inc Headquarters
Black Desert Resort
For tournament information and tickets for the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship, please visit BankofUtahChampionship.com.
About Bank of Utah
Founded in Ogden in 1952, Bank of Utah has been part of the state’s story for more than 70 years. We’ve supported small businesses and helped individuals and families build their futures in communities across Utah — from quiet mountain towns to thriving city centers. With 20 full-service branches, dedicated trust teams, and mortgage specialists throughout the state, Bank of Utah provides personal service and forward-thinking financial tools. The bank’s comprehensive offerings include business and personal banking, mortgage and commercial lending, personal and corporate trust services, and wealth management and investment services.
About Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert ResortReef Capital Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development, and operations firm dedicated to enhancing communities through transformative and impactful projects across North America. Its portfolio includes marquee destinations such as Black Desert Resort, Marcella Club, Cornerstone Golf Club, Tributer Resort, Cormont, and Sweetens Cove. Learn more at www.reefcp.com.
About SkyWest, Inc.
SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines, SkyWest Charter (SWC), and SkyWest Leasing, an aircraft leasing company. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of over 500 aircraft connecting passengers to 266 destinations throughout North America and operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines carrying over 46 million passengers in 2025.
Media contacts:
BZA PR, Bank of Utah Championship, blackdesert@bzapr.com
Mark Fredrickson, SnappConner PR for Bank of Utah, mark@snappconner.com
