UHSAA director Wilkey resigns before mission

MIDVALE, Utah  — It was a moment that passed in just a few minutes, but it was one Dave Wilkey will hold in his heart for many years.

After all, it was a bit of redemption, just a few seconds of

vindication for a man who wrestled many years with those who said there

weren't enough girls interested in high school golf to bother

sanctioning it.

"Girls golf (being sanctioned) was probably one of those

highlight-reel moments," said Wilkey, who announced his resignation as

executive director of the Utah High School Activities Association on March 26. "It was a spine-tingling moment when that first girl

teed off and she sticks it within 6 feet of the pin. I just thought,

'Yes!' It was so fun to watch."

The real validation of Wilkey's efforts, however, was when more than

700 girls played golf last spring in the sport's inaugural season.

"I secretly hoped that would happen, but it surprised even me," he said. "It tells us we did the right thing."

Wilkey has championed opportunities for as many children as possible

in his 32 years of working for the UHSAA. He was asked to take over as

executive director just last spring, and he said he didn't plan to

leave after just a year. In an emotional goodbye Thursday morning in a

board of trustees meeting, where Wilkey offered his letter of

resignation, he said that he anticipated being called on an LDS Church

mission and needed to take care of some personal matters before he and

his wife accepted any assignment.

"My wife and I committed long ago that when it was time to serve

full-time missions together for the The Church of Jesus Christ of