SPORTS

Sports & Recreation Scottsdale.org l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress

Scottsdale native to take part in Phoenix Open

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Progress Sports Editor

Golf runs in the Summerhays family.

Preston Summerhays, a freshman at Arizona State University, grew up in Scottsdale hearing stories and watching his great grandfather, grandfather and extended family members accomplish great feats on the course. His father, Boyd, played on the PGA Tour in the early 2000s. His uncle, Daniel, has played eight years on the Tour.

Summerhays always imagined he would get his shot to appear in major events just like they did. As a spectator and standard bearer, he envisioned himself walking to the famous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale during the Phoenix Open. After receiving one of just �ive available sponsor exemptions, he will be able to do just that.

“When they told me I was receiving the exemption I was kind of lost for words,” Summerhays said. “I was trying hard not to cry. I was kind of in shock. It was super special and I’m super grateful to have this opportunity.”

Summerhays will join a star-studded �ield of professional Tour players at TPC Scottsdale from Feb. 7-13 when the Waste Management Phoenix Open begins. The sponsor exemption automatically quali�ies Summerhays to compete in the event as an amateur, just like Arizona State alum Jon Rahm did in 2015 when he �inished tied for �ifth.

Throughout his young career, Summerhays has been stellar.

He competed on the Chaparral High School team while he completed his education online. He became a back-to-back Utah Amateur champion in 2018-19 and won the Junior Amateur Championship. He was also part of the U.S. Junior Presidents Cup team in 2019.

Summerhays competed in the 2020 U.S. Open and the same year became the youngest-ever winner of the Sunnehanna Amateur, one of the premier junior golf tournaments. In 2021, he competed in the Barbasol Championship. He was also a First Team Rolex Junior All-American.

Now he hopes to make an impact at the “People’s Open.”

“I’ve been going to the Waste Management for 10 years now,” Summerhays said. “That was the �irst big tournament that drew me in as a kid. I love going there. It was just such a fun week for me to go watch some of the best players in the world just �ive minutes down

Scottsdale native and former Chaparral golfer Preston Summerhays received one of fi ve sponsor exemptions to automatically qualify to play in the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale from Feb. 7-13. (Courtesy Sun Devil Athletics)

A freshman at Arizona State, Summerhays joins the liked of Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Chez Reavie as Sun Devils to compete at the Phoenix Open. (Courtesy Sun Devil Athletics) the road.” Summerhays �irst picked up a club when he could walk. He would often accompany his father to the course with a cut down drive or putter and a loaf of break and hang out for the day. On rare occasions he became bored, he would feed the ducks at one of the ponds on whichever course they went to that day.

He cherished those moments. And watching his dad have success fueled his desire to do the same.

Summerhays always set lofty goals for himself. But at 14 years old, he played in the Waste Management pre-quali�ier at Lone Tree Golf Course in Chandler. A freshman in high school, he shot eightunder par. It was at that moment he realized he could make a future out of golf and play in the Phoenix Open.

“I think that was when I knew I could do it one day,” Summerhays said. Like the rest of the 132-player �ield, Summerhays is now preparing for the Open. This year’s tournament purse is worth $8.2 million, with just under $1.5 million going to the winner.

There are several aspects of the tournament he is looking forward to. For one, playing either alongside some of the pros or in the same tournament as those he grew up watching. There’s also the hometown aspect. He wants to represent his family, Scottsdale and Arizona State well.

He knows what to expect from family and friends that remain close by and can attend the event. He even has a good idea about what to expect from the notorious 16th hole, where Arizona State alums Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Chez Reavie are typically greeted with boisterous cheers.

Summerhays is looking forward to all of it.

“I’m really excited to play with all the fans,” Summerhays said. “Being a hometown guy and an ASU guy, they’re probably going to get a little rowdy when I get there. But I’m excited to play with the crowds.”