Bruce Crampton, who has already won a million dollars in three years on the Senior PGA Tour, was in town the other day. On his way from Oklahoma City to Sacramento on the Senior circuit, Crampton stopped by to help promote the Showdown Classic, Utah's biggest annual golf tournament, which will be played July 13-17 at Jeremy Ranch.

Crampton just happens to be the Showdown Classic Honorary Playing Chairman. Why Crampton you ask? After all, he has no local connection such as Billy Casper, who has filled a similar role in past years (nd who won't be able to play in this year's tourney) and he's never won the tournament (lthough he finished second last year).According to Crampton, he got the job because of his special interest in the tourney.

"Last year I was quite concerned with a rumor going around that the Showdown dates were being given to another tournament," he said. "And that didn't settle well with me or a number of other players. This tournament has always been a nice change of pace for us. It's virtually out in the country, away from big cities . . . it's on a sporting golf course that is very demanding . . . the weather is refreshing . . . I'm proud to be part of it."

Crampton says Utah is lucky to have a senior event. After starting with two events in 1980, the Senior Tour will grow to 41 or 42 events next year, putting it close to the PGA Tour in number of events. And once the Senior Tour hits its maximum, it will be hard for new events to break into the schedule.

"Nobody could forsee the manner in which the Senior Tour would grow. It certainly has to be the sports success of the 80s," he said.

"They made a wise decision to come to this city and our organization is doing everthing it can to keep it here. It's well-situated in the Western swing (oming directly after the Sacramento tourney and the Northwest Classic in Washington). It's logical for players to come and play in three events."

Crampton will be back in another week and a half along with other stars such as Miller Barber, Orville Moody, Bobby Nichols and many others.

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STATE AM ON TAP: The 90th edition of the Men's State Amateur Championship gets under way Wednesday at Oakridge Country Club with a record 150 golfers teeing off. By Sunday just two will be left to compete in a 36-hole match-play final.

The field will be cut in half for Thursday's second round and to the low 32 for the beginning of match play Friday. Two rounds of matches that day will pare the field to eight and quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be played Saturday.