Utah County will miss 'old school' golf pro

PAYSON — He stands under the sun with this Titleist cap shading his face, arms folded. Jack Lomento is at the driving range, observing a golf clinic where young players are work through a bucket or two.

A hundred yards away in the Gladstan Clubhouse is his office, a closet that you can't move around in, it's filled with equipment, stuffed with papers. Jack avoids the closet like a sand trap. He's always wanted to be where golfers roam. A kind, gentleman, quick with a joke or a statement of golf fact, Lomento is what they call "old school." He's a dying breed in the golf business.

Lomento, the only head golf professional Gladstan has known, will put in his final week after the Fourth of July holiday. He's retiring.

Moving to Las Vegas.

He will be sorely missed in Utah County, where he's set the bar as a municipal course professional.

"He's an icon," claims 63-year old Tom Sisk of Provo, a former Major League pitcher for the Padres, Pirates and White Sox. "Jack is probably the hardest working pro in Utah county, probably in the state of Utah. I don't know if they'll know how good he is until he's gone."

His replacement will be No. 1 assistant Tracy Zobell. Two other Lomento assistants have launched solid careers. They include BYU golf coach Bruce Brockbank and Eaglewood head professional Ryan Rhees.

Said Zobell: "I don't know if you can measure what he's done. He's brought customer service second to none. He's basically put Gladstan on the map. He knows first names, he knows beginners and veteran players. He treats everyone like they are members of a private club.

"I'd say you can never replace him. He is old school. He's the ultimate pro's pro, from retail, teaching, tournaments and equipment. I've been fortunate to work with him."

For nearly two decades, Lomento has worked with Payson to fine-tune Gladstan, a course located on a ridge and canyon above Payson. There is approval to study course expansion further up a canyon with two holes, lengthening the yardage to 7,100 and minimizing safety concerns with holes 7 and 8.

"We hope those go through," said Payson city councilman Larry Skinner. "I'll do every thing I can. Jack's worked hard on pushing that, it would be part of his legacy if it is done."