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The Longest Day has a new meaning in the Beehive State.

Although it in no way compares to the serious subject matter of storming the beaches of Normandy with John Wayne, it does introduce a groundbreaking sporting event that's helped put Heber Valley on the golfing map.

The first ever Long Day Challenge concluded last month and was a rousing success. With 280 players and 72 teams attacking the fairways, the theme was golf and more golf. In fact, nearly 16 hours of golf spanning three different courses: Wasatch Mountain, Soldier Hollow and The Homestead.

Executive and marketing director of the Heber Valley Chamber/Convention and Visitors Bureau Jason Giles was the mastermind behind the amateur four-man scramble.

"A few years ago, there was a similar tournament at Soldier Hollow that lasted only one year. I was part of that grand opening and saw what happened to the course with so many players," he said.

After the disappointment of previous tournaments, the all-day scramble tournament was dormant for the better part of this decade. Still believing in the idea of an all-day tournament, Giles used the previous format as a jumping point for the Long Day Challenge.

"I pulled [Nate McDonald of Golf Wasatch] and said 'This is what I'm thinking. Play on the longest day of the year in an all-day event, but how we're going to pull this off I don't know', he said.

There were problems.

For starters, Giles wanted top-notch amateur players in the field, requiring all team members to possess a USGA sanctioned handicap. This was beneficial in bringing highly competitive amateurs to Heber Valley as well as maintaining the pace of play.

Second, Giles needed help from participating courses. After seeing what happened to Soldier Hollow's event, there needed to be additional courses to ease the pounding of 280 players. Giles admits the biggest challenge was convincing three distinct courses to close down shop to the public for an entire day on one of the busiest Saturdays of the year. Through sponsors and other avenues of revenue, the three courses in Heber Valley came on board.

Wasatch Mountain and Soldier Hollow took the first 36 holes and The Homestead took the remaining nine holes with the top 10 competing in a derby. After starting at 6 a.m., the Long Day Challenge finally concluded with a fading sun at 9:30 p.m.

"It was a huge success . . . exceeded any of our expectations," Giles said.

The players agree.

"What I liked about this event was the [integrity]," West Jordan's Steve Seare said.

Seare was joined by his co-workers (Salt Lake's Richard Lee, Sandy's Gary Gordon, and Lehi's Adam Thurman) from Uinta Golf stores. Although they didn't walk away with the grand prize trip to Pinehurst North Carolina (Brett Liechty, Pleasant View; Brett Wagner, Ogden; Gerald Broud, Pleasant View; and Scott Fowler, Crestview, finished first overall), there are no regrets about their third-place finish.

"First overall prize was unbelievable . . . but we walked away with a getaway to Mesquite, Nevada. I thought we'd do better in the first 36 holes, but we were able to sneak in the top 10 and make a run at it."

Lee, 64, admits it was a grueling day physically but overall thinks it's a great tournament to play in once or twice a year. The former Brigham Young golfer added he'd love to do it again next year."

As for those plans next year, Giles admits they'll tweak a few things here and there, but the format will stay the same. But unlike its predecessors, the longest day golf challenges will continue to go on in Heber Valley.

The third place team from The Long Day Challenge is, from left, Adam Thurman, Richard Lee, Gary Gordon, and, on the far right, Steve Seare, pictured as they stand with Golf Mesquite representative Christian Adderson, second from right.

* The first Long Day Challenge concluded last month with solid results.

* There was a strong turnout in Heber Valley as 280 players hit the courses for a full day event spanning three different courses.

* Wasatch Mountain, Soldier Hollow, and The Homestead hosted The Long Day Challenge that lasted nearly 16 hours.