Ogden natives earn Utah Championship sponsor exemptions
OGDEN, Utah — The 35th anniversary edition of the Utah Championship will feature a special hometown storyline as two Ogden golfers earn the opportunity to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour stage.
The Utah Championship, presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health and hosted by the Utah Sports Commission, has announced sponsor exemptions for Connor Howe and Mitchell Schow, both recipients of the Tony Finau Foundation Mentoring Program, who will compete July 30 – August 2 at Ogden Golf & Country Club.
“The Tony Finau Foundation has played an important role in developing young golfers across Utah, and our partnership continues to create opportunities for the next generation of players,” said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. “We’re proud to have Connor and Mitchell represent Ogden and The State of Sport during our 35th anniversary tournament.”
“Connor and Mitchell have both put in the work to earn opportunities like this. Getting the chance to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour in their hometown is special, and we’re excited to see them test their games against a great Utah Championship field,” said Tony Finau.
Weber High School graduate Connor Howe is no stranger to Ogden Golf & Country Club. The Ogden native turned professional in 2023 after a standout five-year career at Georgia Tech, where he helped lead the Yellow Jackets to two ACC championships. This season, Howe finished fourth at the Diners Club Peru Open and tied for seventh at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open on PGA TOUR Americas. He returns to the Utah Championship after making the cut in each of the past two years, highlighted by a bogey-free final-round 64 in 2024.
“I am super excited to receive a sponsor exemption into this year’s Utah Championship. To have the Korn Ferry Tour in my hometown, competing at the course I grew up and learned the game at, is a dream come true, and I am honored and excited to be a part of it,” said Connor Howe.
Ogden native Mitchell Schow returns home for the 2026 Utah Championship at Ogden Golf & Country Club. A graduate of Park City High School and the University of Utah, Schow captured the 2020 Utah State Amateur title before turning professional and won the 2023 Salt Lake City Open with a tournament-record opening-round 61. In his lone PGA TOUR start, Schow finished tied for 17th at the 2024 Barracuda Championship. He also made the cut as a Monday qualifier at the 2025 Utah Championship, improving on his 2023 performance with a tie for 54th.
“Having the opportunity to play in Ogden in front of friends and family is something I hold very special. The Ogden community has always supported me, and I’m very excited to represent them in the Korn Ferry Tour event!” said Mitchell Schow.