PROVO — The amount of the first-place paycheck might be a little less than in years past, but that hasn't diminished any of the strength of the field which will be teeing off today in the 70th annual Provo Open golf tournament.

In fact, the list of amateurs and professionals hoping to get the best of the Reserve at East Bay Golf Course over the next three days in the 54-hole event is filled with Utah's biggest names in golf — including seven past champions.

"This might be as strong and as skilled of a field as we've ever had," East Bay pro Kean Ridd said. "I don't think we've ever had this many past champions playing."

Those past champions include defending champion Tom Costello and two-time champions Brett Wayment, Steve Schneiter and Tom Johnson. Other past champions playing this week are Kim Thompson, Ryan Ellis and Todd Tanner.

But with the likes of former Utah Open champion Clay Ogden, former PGA Tour player Boyd Summerhays and young bombers Tony and Gipper Finau in the field, the one cashing the $3,200 first-place check could be a first-timer.

Other young pros competing this week are former Utah Utes Dustin Pimm and Luke Swilor, and former state amateur champions Michael McRae and Clark Rustand. Chris Moody, Pete Stone and Zach Johnson also have the game to prevail at East Bay.

Former Utah State Aggie Devin Daniels and former BYU Cougar Nick Killpack will be making their professional debuts at East Bay. The veterans to watch are Jimmy Blair, fresh off a solid performance at the Senior PGA Championship, and Roy Christensen, Henry White and Mike Borich.

Tom Johnson, former Utah Valley coach, has regained his amateur status and leads the list of top amateurs. Even though the tournament competes with this week's Salt Lake City Amateur, the field still features young stars like BYU's Zac Blair and Robbie Fillmore, former Weber State golfer Clay Bingham, Southern Utah's Nathan Page, and former State Am champs Nick Nelson and Darrin Overson.

"With so many good young players and so many experienced players competing, I think it's going to be one of those tournaments that comes down to the final hole or two," Ridd said.

The greens at East Bay are currently rolling smooth and quick. But accuracy could be key this week with the rough much longer and wetter than normal. With five par-5s, however, the power players always seem to emerge on top at East Bay.

"This is a course that does favor the longer hitters a little bit," Ridd said.

Following Friday's round, the field will be cut to the low 30 professionals and low 40 amateurs for Saturday's final round.

E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com