Rebranding Celebrates Utley’s Contributions to Junior Golf and His Deep Roots in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Missouri Golf is proud to announce that the Missouri Junior Tour will be renamed the Stan Utley Tour, effective with the 2026 season. This rebranding honors Stan Utley—a Missouri native, University of Missouri All-American golfer, PGA Tour winner, and tireless advocate for junior golf development—whose dedication to mentoring young talent has left an indelible mark on the game in the Show-Me State.
Stan Utley’s connection to Missouri golf goes far beyond his roots as a competitive player. As the host of the AJGA Stan Utley and Mid-America Youth Golf Foundation Junior Championship Tournament in Columbia, Utley has been committed to providing competitive opportunities for the next generation of golfers. His influence extends far beyond his renowned expertise as one of golf’s premier instructors. He has a genuine passion for creating pathways for young players to develop their skills, character, and love for the game.
The Stan Utley Tour will continue the tradition of excellence established by the Missouri Junior Tour, conducting 10 one-day events throughout Missouri each season. The tour serves approximately 90 players per event, welcoming junior golfers ages 8-18 in both 9-hole and 18-hole formats. As a co-ed tour, it provides equal opportunities for young men and women to compete, learn, and grow in the game. The tour’s popularity is evident in its consistent sell-out status, with waitlists regularly reaching 40-50 players—a testament to the quality of competition and the welcoming environment the tour provides.
“It is truly an honor that Missouri Golf has associated my name to this tour,” said Utley. “Growing up in West Plains and having access to junior tournaments to get my start playing the game correctly and honing my skills, it’s a special thing for Missouri Golf to give kids in my home state a bigger opportunity to compete and improve to the highest level they can. I’m excited to do everything I can to support this effort.”
With more than 240 members and growing, the Stan Utley Tour is expanding to new locations across Missouri, bringing competitive junior golf to communities throughout the state. This expansion reflects the tour’s commitment to accessibility and its vision to serve more young golfers wherever they call home.
“We are incredibly honored to rename our junior tour after Stan Utley,” said Scott Hovis, Executive Director of Missouri Golf. “I can’t think of a better person to have representing the game in our state. Stan’s legacy in Missouri golf is extraordinary—from his days as an All-American at Mizzou to his time on the PGA Tour to his award-winning teaching career and his ongoing support of junior golf in our state. This tour embodies Stan’s values: making golf accessible to young players, fostering a love for competition, and building memories that will last a lifetime. As we look to the future, we’re committed to growing the Stan Utley Tour into one of the premier junior golf tours in the country, creating opportunities for the next generation of Missouri golfers to follow in Stan’s footsteps.”
The vision for the Stan Utley Tour extends beyond simply providing competitive opportunities. The tour aims to become one of the best junior golf tours in the country by combining high-quality tournament experiences with an emphasis on sportsmanship, personal development, and the pure enjoyment of the game. By expanding to new venues across Missouri and maintaining its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, the tour will continue to serve as a launching pad for young golfers pursuing their dreams, whether those dreams lead to college golf, professional careers, or simply a lifelong love of the game.
The 2026 season will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter as the Stan Utley Tour carries forward a proud tradition while honoring one of Missouri’s most accomplished and generous ambassadors of the game.
About Stan Utley
Stan is one of the few coaches in golf to have both played and taught at the highest level of the sport. A member of Golf Digest’s 50 Best Teachers list for more two decades, he has worked with players like Charles Barkley, Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas and Cheyenne Knight. A native of Thayer, Missouri, Stan learned the game from Ken Lanning at West Plains Country Club. He was a two-time All-American golfer at the University of Missouri (1982 and 1983), three-time Missouri Open champion and the winner of the 1989 Chattanooga Classic on the PGA Tour. Stan still holds the PGA Tour record for fewest putts over nine holes, with six at the 2002 Air Canada Championship. Stan works with clients from his bases at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, TX and Maroon Creek Golf Club in Aspen, CO. For more information, visit stanutley.com.
About Missouri Golf
Missouri Golf, formerly known as the Missouri Golf Association, is the official governing body for amateur golf in Missouri. Founded in 1903, Missouri Golf is dedicated to promoting and protecting the game of golf in Missouri through championship competitions, handicapping services, course rating, junior golf programs, and various educational initiatives. MO Golf serves thousands of golfers across the state and is committed to ensuring that golf remains accessible, enjoyable, and thriving for generations to come. For more information, visit mogolf.org.
