ST. GEORGE — Crimson Cliffs High School senior Boston Bracken has been named Men’s Player of the Year by the Utah Golf Association.
File photo of Boston Bracken of Crimson Cliffs after winning top individual medalist honors at 4A boys golf state tournament, Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 13, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
According to a UGA news release issued on Thursday, Bracken joins an elite group of players who received UGA Player of the Year honors while still in high school. That achievement is shared by just five other Utahns in the award’s 41-year history, namely Daniel Summerhays, Tony Finau, Rhett Rasmussen, Preston Summerhays and Cooper Jones.
Among Bracken’s illustrious accomplishments this year are winning the St. George Amateur, the Dixie Red Hills Amateur and the UGA Winterchamps title. He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur by shooting 67-66 on Soldier Hollow’s Silver Course.
According to the UGA, Bracken’s PPR (Player Performance Ranking) over his top 10 events was a lofty 400.5.
As previously reported, Bracken also finished his high school career in October by leading the Crimson Cliffs Mustangs to their fourth state 4A championship in school history and the third in the four years that Bracken has been playing.
Boston Bracken of Crimson Cliffs putts on the 17th hole during Region 9 weekly match at Cedar Ridge Golf Course, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 13, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Playing at The Ridge Golf Club in West Valley City, Bracken shot an 11-under-par score of 65-68-133 to take top medalist honors at state. His second-day score even included a four-stroke penalty he called on himself for having an extra club in his bag.
Bracken, who plans to sign an official letter of intent next week to play collegiately for Arizona State University, told St. George News via phone on Thursday afternoon that he’s already looking forward to competing at the next level.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal,” Bracken said of the Sun Devils’ golf program, which is currently ranked third in the country. “The practice facilities are as good as it gets. The level of competition, week in and week out, the tournaments they’re playing are phenomenal. Matt Thurmond, the head coach down there, he’s an absolute stud. All around, it’s a great program and I’m super excited to go down there.”
Bracken was one of five Utahns to receive UGA Player of the Year honors. According to the news release, Kelsey Chugg clinched her sixth Women’s Player of the Year title in the 12-year history of the award, while Nuny Kham-One was named senior Women’s Player of the Year.
Additionally, the Senior Men’s Player of the Year award went to Shane McMillan for the second year in a row. And in a brand-new category, 64-year-old Randy Hicken was named Super-Senior Player of the Year.
Each of the award winners will be recognized at the UGA’s annual banquet scheduled for early next year.
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