Sixty years is a long time to wait, but standing on the edge of Black Desert Resort, red rock rising on every side, you understand immediately that it’s worth coming back to. The resort incorporates the surrounding red rock formations, striking black lava rock, and the type of quiet that makes you wonder why you don’t visit more often. Now, there’s one more reason to make the trip.
In October 2024, the PGA Tour returned to Utah for the first time in 60 years, choosing Black Desert Resort as its stage. The Bank of Utah Championship brought the world’s best golfers to the southern corner of the state, and this year, the PGA Tour is slated for Oct. 1-4.
“Bank of Utah has always believed in supporting the communities we serve. We are thrilled to enter our second year as title sponsor of Utah’s PGA Tour event, a partnership that truly puts our commitment into action,” says Branden Hansen, Bank of Utah’s president. “The Bank of Utah Championship brings visitors to our state, supports local businesses, and lifts up area nonprofits while giving us an opportunity to showcase Utah’s extraordinary beauty and what makes our state such a great place to live and work.”
Based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the PGA Tour nonprofit runs events for the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour Americas. It also manages the organization’s Q-school and university. Fans can watch the tour, featuring top players from 28 countries and territories, on CBS, NBC, Golf Channel, and ESPN+.
More than 200 countries air the tour’s events, available in 30 languages. The PGA Tour connects with fans, partners, and communities everywhere, highlighting golf’s best players and moments.
The course at Black Desert Resort lives up to expectations. Designed by the late Tom Weiskopf, who joined the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2024, the 19-hole, par-72 course covers 7,500 yards of desert and volcanic ridges. It’s enjoyable for all skill levels and worth booking a tee time for the scenery alone. Guest rates range from $250 to $325 (nonguests pay $325-$450) depending on the season and peak hours. GPS carts featuring Weiskopf’s commentary make each round feel special.
“Tom Weiskopf was very intentional about making Black Desert’s golf course playable for the casual resort guest and challenging enough to host the best players in the world,” says managing partner Patrick Manning. “When people ask me how difficult the course is, I answer, ‘It depends on how real you are with yourself and your golfing skill level. Choose your tee boxes wisely.’”
Green fees include several premium perks. Guests enjoy complimentary food and drinks (except alcohol) during their round, with two locations to satisfy their appetite. Near hole 15, the cart even reminds golfers that they’re approaching Oasis, the final stop for food, so they can call ahead for pickup as they pass by.
Ever golfed with a caddie? The resort assigns players a Caddiemaster forecaddie, who offers expert advice to help their game. These experienced caddies do more than carry clubs; they share tips on each hole’s design, distance, and strategy, helping guests play their best. As a first-timer at Black Desert, I worried golfing with a caddie might be intimidating, but it turned out to be a great help. I would have been lost on such a large course.
Golfers can use a modern driving range with Trackman technology and a 2-acre, 36-hole putting range for a full warm-up. With 12-minute intervals between tee times, the course offers a relaxed pace so players can take in the beautiful scenery.
What’s refreshing is that none of the amenities come with attitude. Manning puts it simply: “All of Black Desert’s ethos is luxury without pretense. It is luxury your way.”
That hospitality extends across 791 guest rooms and suites. The resort is designed for people who appreciate quality without needing a dress code to enjoy it. Utah residents get a special perk: a 10% discount on room rates and a $50 resort credit per stay, which can be used for dining, activities, and more. There’s no better excuse to make the drive south.
INSIDE THE RESORT: AMENITIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT
Plume Spa and Wellness Center
Plume spans 15,000 square feet and offers much more than massages. With 13 treatment rooms, guests can choose from signature relaxation therapies or advanced recovery options in the Longevity Lounge, such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers, and salt inhalation therapy. Make an appointment or grab a day pass, starting at $75 for facilities or $125 with Longevity Lounge access.
Dining Worth Staying For
• Latitude: Panoramic views of Snow Canyon frame a New American menu of wood-fired beef, fresh seafood, and seasonal vegetable dishes. The wine and cocktail list holds its own.
• Basalt: Dry-aged beef, sustainable seafood, and a sommelier-curated wine program make the resort’s fine-dining anchor the spot for a night worth remembering.
• 20th Hole: Think big screens, comfortable booths that fit up to 12, and a menu of burgers, wings, ribs, and milkshakes that earns its place beside a great round of golf.
Relax and Recharge
• Heated outdoor pool, open year-round
• 24-hour fitness center with sauna and steam room
• Business center for those working remotely
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