Park City High School golf alumnus Mitchell Schow considers the Ogden Golf Country Club to be one of his home courses.  Schow will get the chance this week in the Utah Championship, a Korn Ferry Tour stop, to prove whether or not there’s much of an advantage in knowing the course as well as he does.  Schow received a sponsor’s exemption into the 156 man field from the Tony Finau Foundation, which supports his career.  The 2016 Park City High School graduate will be looking to make Friday’s cut and win his first Korn Ferry Tour event. The Korn Ferry Tour is one stop below the PGA Tour, considered by most to be the pinnacle of the sport. A win this weekend would secure Schow’s place in his next Korn Ferry Tour stop, not already guaranteed because he’s not a mainstay yet on the tour.  “I’m very excited for it,” Schow said. “It’s a golf course that I’ve played a lot. It’s one of those tournaments where I don’t have to overthink it. I just have to go play golf, which is kind of what you need to do for every tournament.” Schow will use time he normally has to spend navigating the intricacies of a new course to work on other areas of his game in practice.  The 2021 University of Utah golf alumnus will also have another secret weapon this week: the support of his family and friends, many of whom live in the Ogden area. Recently married, Schow said his in-laws have also been big supporters of his pursuits.  Schow has largely been trying to qualify for Korn Ferry and PGA Tour events in Monday qualifying events, which offer golfers without status last-minute opportunities to make it into the field. The backing from the Tony Finau Foundation allows him a little flexibility with his schedule, where he doesn’t have to automatically chase money. Schow would like to eventually earn himself Korn Ferry then PGA Tour status.  “I’m going to play in everything that’s going to give me an opportunity to possibly get my way in there,” Schow said. “(Winning the Utah Championship) would propel me to Korn Ferry Tour status.” Schow said he wants to remind fans that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also came from the Korn Ferry Tour. The game’s future stars could be taking the links alongside him this week in Ogden.  Schow shot -3 in his first round on Thursday, leaving him tied for 65th place. He teed off Friday at 9:15 a.m., with the projected cut line for the weekend at -3. Jay Card III and Ross Steelman were tied for the lead at -9 after Thursday. The Utah Championships are selling tickets for Friday through Sunday’s action on its website. Admission is free for kids under 12 years old and military personnel. Parking and shuttle services are also free.  “Any of the guys that are on the Korn Ferry Tour have the ability to win on the PGA Tour,” Schow said. “So you can go out there and watch the people before they become world No. 1. You could potentially see the next Scottie Scheffler out there on the Korn Ferry Tour this week in Ogden.” Following this week’s event, Schow’s attention this season will turn toward PGA Tour Q-School, where golfers can earn status on the PGA and Korn Ferry tours. Q-School is a multistage event that can take months. No matter his form, Schow said he can always rely on the fact that six-time PGA Tour winner Tony Finau believes in his ability to eventually make it big. “Q-School is definitely a thing that the Finau Foundation helps out with a lot because that whole process of going through Q-School can cost about $12,000 to $15,000,” Schow said. “Even if you have a rough day, you’re like ‘I still have the support of one of the best golfers to ever come out of Utah.’ He thinks that I have the ability to make it on tour, so why not?” The post Park City High School golf alumnus returns to Utah Championship appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less