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ALPINE — Former Utah Valley State College golfer Aaron Smith was leading Weber State’s Kyler Dearden 1-up through 11 holes at the 118th Utah State Amateur Championship.
But that was as far as the match could be played Friday.
Smith, a local dental technician, collapsed on the 12th green while facing the collegian before he was taken to the hospital by ambulance Friday during the semifinals at Alpine Country Club. After a brief stay, doctors determined they will release him later Friday night after recovering from symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Friday’s temperatures soared as high as 94 degrees at the golf course with 10 percent humidity and a slight 6 mile-per-hour wind, creating increased temperatures for all golfers.
Smith was released from medical care Friday night, and play will resume in the semifinal round at 7 a.m. at Alpine Country Club. The winner will advance to face BYU golfer Patrick Fishburn in the 36-hole match-play final.
In the other semifinal, Fishburn advanced 3 and 2 over former Lone Peak golfer Ryan Barber. The Ogden native and Salt Lake Amateur champion went down one after Barber, who has signed with Utah Valley, took the first hole. But Fishburn won four of the next seven to take a big lead into the back nine en route to the 16-hole victory.
For complete results of the state amateur championship, visit usga.org.
Quarterfinals
Kyler Dearden d. Brady Stanger 3 and 1
Aaron Smith d. Reed Nielsen 1 up
Ryan Barber d. Jose Pelayo 3 and 2
Patrick Fishburn d. Carl Jensen 3 and 2
Semifinals
Patrick Fishburn d. Ryan Barber 3 and 2
Aaron Smith vs. Kyler Dearden (Smith 1 up; suspended)
