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Show A8 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 orts SP Covering what matters most Living his Dream Former Spanish Oaks pro competing on the senior circuit Chad Vest STAFF WRITER Roy Christensen is the former Head Pro at the SF Municipal Golf Course. For 22 years he was the guy in charge at Spanish Oaks. Today he is in his seventh year on the senior circuit and living a dream. Christensen played one year of golf at Provo High before serving a church mission. Then after a year of college at UVSC, he was drafted by the Army, and even though he wanted to continue playing golf, he had to put that dream on hold. He served his country and spent seven years laboring in Germany. Upon his return, he turned 30 and resolved to give his studies and golf game another try. Christensen traveled up north to Logan to attend school at Utah State. As an Aggie, he made the golf team and competed very well on a talented, team. One of his teammates was a famous gojfer named Jay Don' Bli&ke. In Christensen's first season, the Aggies finished ranked 10th in the nation. After his college experience, Christensen turned pro in his early thirties. Since then, he has experienced a lot of success in local tournaments, state opens and some national events. He was fortunate enough to participate in two senior PGA Championships and two senior US Open Championships (which were aired live on TV). Christensen talked about what he believes has given him a competitive edge over his opponents in recent years. "I'm very big on the mental," said Christensen. "When you aren't into this game mentally, you just can't do it." He said that golf was 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical. Recently, he has put together a string of wins to add upon his amazing accomplishments in recent years. "This year I won the Spanish Oaks Open," said Christensen. "It was kind of special for me because for 22 years that I ran that tournament, I never won it." The former Golf Pro finished in second several times despite holding the responsibility of organizKe/sey Hall 7 Spanish Fork NewHt] ing the event. But while he NO SLOWING DOWN: Spanish Fork's Roy Christensen is in his seventh year on the senior circuit. He's won two senior was at the Oaks as the pro, PGA Championships and two senior US Open Championships. he competed mostly in local and state tournaments of mine, I never made the The following week after nior Open and I've won the there." because of the demands of cut," said Christensen. "But winning his first SF Open, New Mexico Open," said Many amateur players work and family life. How- I never really tried the reg- Christensen played in a Christensen. "These were make just enough money in ever, with being retired to- ular tour deal because of tournament in Salt Lake and pretty big purses for me. local and state tournaments day, he plays regularly and work and other things. But continued his streak. But, Those are the better ones to pay for their traveling works harder at perfecting the senior tour is where I while both of these tourna- because the competition is his swings through repeti- thought, 'You know, I can ments were special, neither so much better than the lo- expenses to bigger events. tious practice. get out and do this!' and of them amount to winning cal tournaments. I mean, Some make a nice living there are players from all while others continue play"Even though the PGA I've been pretty successful state opens. See GOLF • A9 regular tour was a dream that way." "I won the Colorado Se- over the country playing UHSAA finalizes realignment plans Chad Vest STAFF WRITER There has been some confusion among citizens in the Spanish Fork/Salem area regarding the Utah High School Activities Association's region realignment which will take place in the fall of 2009. Salem Hills High School is near complete and will open up for the '08 school year in August. When the Sky Hawks soar into action, they will be doing it in region eight of 3A classification. Spanish Fork will remain in 5A and compete for a final year in region four while Springville will continue playing in region seven. However, when Maple Mountain High opens the following year, the realignment will be in full effect. The UHSAA recently came to terms with a final realignment proposal. In the fall of '09, there will be a new region eight that will consist of six local teams: Payson, Salem Hills, Spanish Fork, Maple Mountain, Springville and Provo. This newly-formed 4A Regionw ill reunite former rivals with a storied history as well as create new ones for many years to come. And each school is within 15 miles of the other. "I'm really in favor of that [new region]," said SF AD Doug Snell. "I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I've got a son that's an eighth grader and he'll be a part of that so I'm really excited about that. It will be a fun league in 4A and I'm excited that iriore students will have the opportunity to play high school sports." Although Snell is thrilled about entering a new competitive league in '09, he has some frustrations with the newly formed boundaries and realignment. "I'm not at all happy with the way it shook down with Springville (4A, 1,800 students) and Spanish (5A 1300 students) for this next year, but we'll be okay," he said. "Our kids are tough down here and our coaches do a great job. The only thing that upsets me with the new league ('09) is the boundary line. We'll have a projection of 950+ students and Maple Mountain will have 1150+ and many of those are SF kids. I don't see the logic in that." Snell firmly believes a student/athlete should attend the school in whose boundries the live. Salem will begin with just over 950 students and when they enter 4A competition in 2009, they could have over Inset map Vernal o FEWER MILES: The initial proposal for region realignment would have placed Spanish Fork and Salem Hills in a region with high schools in Vernal and St. George, making a 400+ mile trip from one end of the region to the other. The finalized alignment, below, is 15 miles north to south. o ; Spanish Fork St. George --; X}' Spanish Fork Salem P^Xt^ y J $£ See PLANS • A l l graphics by Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News |