BLAKE HOPES HIS NEAR-MISS IN ATLANTA WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The past couple of years have seen several breakthroughs with local golfers winning their first PGA Tour events. For a long time, Johnny Miller was the only golfer with local ties who had won a PGA event.

But Mike Reid ended his long drought with a couple of wins, ex-BYU golfer/Orem resident Keith Clearwater won twice in 1987, and Provo resident Dan Forsman and ex-BYU golfer Rick Fehr have each won PGA events.And last weekend, Utah's only native golfer, Jay Don Blake of St. George, came within a whisker of winning his first PGA tournament in Atlanta as he led after the first and third rounds and as late as the 14th hole on the final day before finishing a stroke out of the playoff.

It was the first time Blake had ever been in close contention in a tour event, and he said afterward he plans to turn it into a learning experience.

"At least I know what it's like to be there," said Blake. "And if anything good comes out of it, it's that I'll be able to handle it better next time."

Blake came right back to lead this weekend's Kemper Open after two rounds, but his 75 Saturday most likely left him too far behind to "be there" in today's final round.

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SHOWDOWN LOWDOWN: The summer's premier local golfing event, the Showdown Classic, is two months away, but already the field is 75 percent filled.

Fifty-seven PGA seniors have committed, leaving just 15 spots to be filled for the Aug. 4-6 event. And some of those spots will be filled by qualifiers and sponsor exemptions.

Many of the usual players are coming - two-time defending champion Miller Barber, Billy Casper (who missed last year for the first time), and John Brodie. But several top players from last year haven't committed yet, including Orville Moody, Bruce Crampton, Al Geiberger, Charles Coody, Bobby Nichols, Bob Goalby, Peter Thomson and Gene Littler.

On the other hand, a few new faces will be on hand, including Doug Sanders, Phil Rodgers and John Schlee and players from past years like Tommy Bolt, Gay Brewer and Bob Rosburg will be back.

As for Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Arnie . . . who knows?

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