Men’s golf and alumni show out for the 26th Cougar Day

World Golf Hall of Fame inductee and pioneer of the event Johnny Miller made an appearance at the 26th Biennial Cougar Day.

Men’s golf and alumni show out for the 26th Cougar DayMen’s golf and alumni show out for the 26th Cougar Day

PROVO, Utah – Riverside Country Club hosted BYU men’s golf, 60 alumni, corporate sponsors and friends of the program for the 26th Cougar Day event on Monday. 

The traditional fundraising event, which occurs every odd year since 1983, dates back to 1974 when it made its debut. Former BYU head coach Karl Tucker along with PGA Tour pro and two-time U.S. Open winner Billy Casper, two-time PGA Tour major winner and former BYU golfer Johnny Miller and former tour pro and BYU golfer Mike Reasor put together a tournament at Riverside Country Club. In addition to being a host to every Cougar Day except 1997, Riverside CC has been the home of BYU golf since 1962. 

The whole 2025-26 Cougar roster came out to compete along with 60 alumni who played and came to support. Alumni that attended who formerly or currently play on the PGA or Korn Ferry Tours were Johnny Miller, Andy Miller, Keith Clearwater, Peter Kuest and eight-time PGA Tour winner including 2003 Masters Champion, Mike Weir. Also present was six-time PGA Tour champion and Salt Lake native Tony Finau who verbally committed to BYU in 2007 before turning pro. 

The athletic department provided their support for the team as well as the donors to the program. BYU vice president Keith Vorkink, athletic director Brian Santiago, and associate athletic director Chad Lewis shouldered this effort and provided heavy involvement with donors such as BYU football greats Robbie Bosco and Lee Johnson and former Cougar basketball star Danny Ainge. 

“I’m really pleased with the amount of support we received across the board,” said BYU director of golf Todd Miller, son of Johnny Miller. “There’s a sense of gratitude from everyone for Karl Tucker, who started this over 50 years ago and for Bruce Brockbank who has kept that legacy going.”

"So fun to have all the past players back," said head coach Bruce Brockbank. "Karl Tucker started Cougar Day many years ago. He has been a highlight all my life since I was a kid. Bringing all the past players back to Provo and Riverside brings back so many memories for players and coaches."

At 8:30 a.m., a clinic was held on the first-hole fairway of the 7,142-yard course. All 180 players plus family and friends who were in attendance gathered and listened to Santiago, Vorkink, Brockbank, Todd Miller, Johnny Miller, Weir and Finau speak about BYU golf and what it means to be associated with the institution through the sport.

“I had never seen a place more beautiful in my life, so I was sold pretty quickly.”

Mike Weir on his first visit in Provo

“I think coming from a non-LDS culture, and coming here just embracing the culture knowing that I had a job to do as an 18-year-old, it was just great for me. It was the right fit.”

Mike Weir on embracing BYU culture

“You can’t say enough about Bruce [Brockbank], Todd [Miller], and the players that you guys have this year. You have a special group of guys here this year that I think are going to do incredible things over the next handful of years at BYU, and it’s really awesome. These are great young men. They’re great players. I know a lot of them individually, and the character and integrity that they carry themselves with at that age is really unprecedented. I’m really excited to watch them this year and over the next handful of years.”

Tony Finau on the 2025-26 team

“It’s hard for me to not love the energy and the people.”

Tony Finau on being around BYU

“I just love BYU. It’s such a competitive atmosphere to be in. You have to bring your best each and every day, and that’s what I wanted to be a part of. I didn’t think there were many places around the country that offered that like BYU does.”

Peter Kuest on why he chose BYU

Tournament play began at 9 a.m. with 180 players split into groups of five with a shotgun start. 

To cap off the event, players congregated in the clubhouse to receive awards and reminisce over lunch.