5 Questions with Mark Passey, Central Region director for the United States Golf Association

Mark Passey, former executive director of the Utah Golf Association and current Central Region director for the United States Golf Association, discussed the state of golf; the game's traditions, history and future; and the upcoming 2012 U.S. Public Links Championship at Soldier Hollow with Deseret News sports writer Jim Rayburn.

Question: What are your thoughts on the state of the game of golf?

Answer: "There have been struggles with the business of golf because of overbuilding that came from people speculating that we could support more golf courses. But the state of golf is healthy. We're in a good place with the rules and we've done some things with equipment manufacturers that protects the integrity of the game but gives it an everlasting appeal."

Question: What is the future of golf?

Answer: "Issues with things like the golf ball going too far are leveling out. We're going to grow into the oversupply of golf courses. And if you give it a global view, golf in the Olympics is going to be a big step to bringing the game to every part of the world and to people who have never had a chance to play the game before."

Question: How do we preserve the traditions and history of golf?

Answer: "If we make sure the rules are right and we protect the challenge of the game, people are going to want to keep playing and want to be part of the traditions. There's really a fine line in keeping the game challenging while managing issues that are aimed at increasing interest and in helping golfers to improve."

Question: The 2012 U.S. Public Links Championship will be held at Soldier Hollow. Why has it taken so long for a USGA event to come to Utah?

Answer: "It was a matter of finding the right course for the right championship. There's been a lot of interest in doing this for more than 25 years, but we just never found the right match. With this course, we really have what it takes to host championship golf, especially with the little tweaking that we're going to make."

Question: Will having Soldier Hollow host this event lead to future USGA championships in Utah?

Answer: "Sometimes all you have to do is open the door and people will find out what you have to offer, and they'll want to be back. I really feel that in the next 10 to 12 years we're going to have several more USGA championships in Utah. Especially if we have courses step forward and invite us to come."