John Fought, a former BYU golf star and 1977 U.S. Amateur Champion, is leading the facelift of the 18-hole golf course at historic Homestead Resort. He sat down with reporters this week to detail what he has in mind.
It was kind of challenging at this press event. The golf storytelling tales by Fought of his BYU days and interactions with Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Billy Casper collided with a tour of parts of the actual golf renovation project.
It was tough choosing which was more fun. What do you report on? Dirt and rocks or flesh and blood? It’s a wrestle.
Fought, the architect of the famed Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon and Sand Hollow in Southern Utah’s Hurricane Township, kept the Homestead’s course routing but scraped off every tee box, fairway and green as part of the $17 million project.
He had trees removed to “open it up” and declared the course designed by Bruce Summerhays had been overgrown with unnecessary, green-killing, vista-blocking foliage, essentially hiding one of its best features, Snake Creek. A big spend is a state-of-the-art irrigation system.
The result? The course will gain 10 to 12 percent more playing area. The greens will be bigger and better, including a double green for Nos. 9 and 18 — a giant 18,000-square-foot putting surface with an eight-foot drop between the two greens.
No. 17, the par-5 fairway historically hidden from the tee box by bushes and trees, is now wide open, featuring the winding creek and a view of the mountains. No. 10 has a punch-bowl green complex, and there is a new pond on the front nine to aid with irrigation.
The semi-private course will reopen for play in the summer of 2027, part of a giant resort complex that includes a 123-room hotel, 68 residences, six swimming pools, a practice facility, hitting bays and a state-of-the-art clubhouse and reception center.
The course will be managed under the umbrella of world-famous Troon Golf, which operates Alpine Country Club, Black Desert, Entrada, Red Ledges and Thanksgiving Point.
Bringing Fought to town was a hit for Homestead. A nationally renowned golf architect with more than 100 projects under his belt, he spends most of his year in rental cars and hotels across the country supervising golf course construction.
But back in the day, Fought wore BYU colors and was the No. 1-ranked amateur golfer in the world. From Walker Cup to All-America honors, Fought was one of the longest hitters in the country and part of a legendary Cougar golf team that featured five teammates who earned PGA Tour cards: Jim Nelford, Pat McGowan, Jimmy Blair and Mike Reid.
Fought remembers the week this BYU team played in the Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, California.
“We (BYU players) finished first, second, third, fourth and fifth. Scott Simpson and those guys were in that tournament. We won by 54 shots after being behind by two shots after the first round.
“Coach (Karl Tucker) said after that round, ‘I don’t know if you guys are all that good.’ I thought, what was he talking about. We were up 27 strokes after the next round. I shot 69 in the final round and didn’t move up on my teammates.”
Fought said Hall of Famer Johnny Miller told him years ago that the most important thing in choosing a college golf team is having a demanding schedule and playing with teammates who push you to compete.
“I remember shooting 22-under at Riverside to qualify for one of our tournaments and I wasn’t ahead by that much,” Fought said.
Fought remembers the trip to Scotland Tucker took the Cougars on in the early ’70s. BYU played in what was comparable to the NCAA Tournament in Scotland and won by 22 shots.
“I’m not kidding. I shot 64-68 and set the course record at Royal Aberdeen with that 64. I remember every shot,” he said.
Fought went back to Royal Aberdeen later in life, and the course record was still 64, but the name over his was Rory McIlroy.
“I don’t blame them one bit for putting his name at the top,” Fought said.
In college, Fought once won 22 consecutive matches. A two-time winner on the PGA Tour and Rookie of the Year, Fought’s playing days were cut short by back/neck surgery, but he has fond memories of Ben Hogan walking behind him at the driving range and giving him a nod, which led to a lifelong friendship with the man you had to call Mr. Hogan.
The Foughts once got a Christmas card that was signed “Ben.” His wife was puzzled.
“Who do we know who is Ben?”
John answered, “Look, it’s from Fort Worth, Texas. Who do we know there named Ben?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
In his playing days Fought sought out Billy Casper, whom he loved, and tried to play practice rounds with him, soaking in his knowledge of every square inch of some courses and how to play each hole. His admiration for Miller knows no bounds.
Ben Shakespeare, who heads the Homestead development project, said he’s had to work with 17 different ownership groups around Homestead, including HOAs. Conflicts and settlements included everything from fences and tree removal to water issues.
Fought believes willow and cottonwood trees, especially near greens, are not great neighbors for golf courses. He had them cut down and bulldozed.
“We will plant back 700 trees over time,” Shakespeare said. “This is a challenging but fun project, and I’ve enjoyed working with John and his vision and ideas.”
The Homestead and its featured hot crater have been a part of Heber Valley since pioneer settlement days and have evolved numerous times with different owners and interests. When this thing is done, it will be a remarkable doorstep resort rivaling anything in Park City.
Think Black Desert down south for amenities, spas, pickleball courts, residences, side-by-side and snowmobile rentals and the big hotel with eye-popping facilities and landscaping, and you’ll be in the ballpark.
Add in an upgraded, more fun golf course, and this should be a winner for those so inclined to stay, play and dine.
