Pres Summerhays: Mormon Athlete and Coach

Preston Lindsay Summerhays, known as “Pres,” was a noted coach of several sports, especially golf. He was the head golf coach for the University of Utah.

Summerhays was born on January 17, 1906, in Salt Lake City. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1931, where he received All-American honorable mentions in football. He went on to coach football, baseball, skiing, and golf for over forty years, at both high school (St. Anthony, Idaho, and Carbon) and college (University of Utah and Carbon) levels. He led his teams to two state championships and four Conference titles. He was honored for his coaching accomplishments by being appointed to the National winter Olympic Rules Committee, the American College Baseball coaches Hall of Fame, and the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. One of his sons, Bruce Summerhays was also inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, making them the only father and son to be named. At the time Bruce was inducted, he said, “What a privilege to follow Dad in there.” “I know this wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for him.”[1]

Summerhays and his wife, Margaret, were the parents of three sons. He passed away on April 29, 1996. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.