Tom Hackett Prevails Over His Former Coach Kyle Whittingham On The Links

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – On this week’s episode of The Hallowed Grounds, KSL Sports’ weekly golf show, host Tom Hackett took on his former college coach, Kyle Whittingham.

Hackett played under Whittingham at the University of Utah from 2012-15 and earned two Ray Guy Awards as the nation’s best punter in 2014 and 2015. The former Ute punter has since gone on to work at KSL Sports as a cross-platform host while Whittingham continues to coach Utah and is entering his 14th season as the Utes’ head coach and 26th year in the program all together.

The rules at The Hallowed Grounds are simple: Hackett and a guest play a par four or five for a $100 gift card to Uinta Golf. The winner of hole number one gets to play a second hole for a Bushnell Range Finder valued at $500.

It is time for #UteArmourMadness. Voting will begin tomorrow starting with the left side of the bracket. pic.twitter.com/SchzTooUQF

— UtesEquipment (@UtesEquipment) June 10, 2019

The duo played the par-4 14th at Willow Creek Country Club. Hackett scored a par while Whittingham was just a shot behind with a bogey.

“So I didn’t win squat,” asked Whittingham after the hole, challenging Hackett to replay the hole.

Although Hackett got the better of Whittingham, the two still enjoyed their time on the links together. Known for his intensity and hard-nosed nature, Hackett asked Whittingham how much he could put up on the bench press.

“I’m not really sure,” laughed Whittingham, presumably knowing exactly how much he can lift.

The Hallowed Grounds starring Tom Hackett and a special guest is a regular feature on KSL SportsBeat, which airs Sunday night on KSL.