Sunday finale for '05

When Todd Miller chose not to compete in the Utah State Amateur golf final last month because it took place on a Sunday, he did so because of his religious convictions.

Although Miller didn't say it, some people thought he was also trying to force a change in the way the longtime amateur tournament is conducted with match play finals on Sunday. Later, his father, Johnny, indicated that indeed, it was part of a plan to force the UGA to stop playing on Sunday, telling reporters, "On this particular issue, I'm going to do whatever it takes. I hope you'll never know about (plans) B and C."

It looks like the Millers' Plan A didn't work.

The Utah Golf Association board of directors has voted unanimously not to change its policy regarding Sunday play, UGA President Paul Hatch announced Thursday.

"The UGA conducts many tournaments, some on weekdays and some on weekends, and that policy will not change next year," Hatch said. "We will continue to try to strike a balance in order to provide opportunity for all. The Utah State Am has been scheduled for a Sunday finish throughout its history and that will not change next year."

The issue came to a head last month at the Jeremy Country Club when Todd Miller won his semifinal match against Clay Bingham and was scheduled to meet

Clark Rustand in a 36-hole final the following day, a Sunday.

Miller immediately said he wouldn't play the next day because he wouldn't play on the Sabbath, thus forfeiting the championship to Rustand, a fellow returned LDS missionary and former BYU golfer. Miller received both praise and criticism for his decision and two days later apologized to the UGA for not informing them of his decision earlier.

Hatch did indicate that the board wasn't closing the door to future changes in the tournament format, which might include not playing on Sunday.

"While the board decided against changing its scheduling policies, it did decide to select a committee to evaluate possible format changes in the Utah State Am and that could include an expansion of the match play portion," he said. "The committee will also consider possible changes in the qualifying process."