ST. GEORGE — The city of St. George has hired Dixie High and Brigham Young University graduate Mike Jurca as its director of golf operations.
Jurca will oversee all golf operations, teaching facilities and personnel at the four City-owned courses: Sunbrook, Southgate, Dixie Red Hills and St. George Golf Club.
“What’s great is that St. George is already in an awesome spot with its golf division, so I’m excited to build upon the sturdy foundation that has been established,” Jurca said in a press release. “I have a desire to continually improve, so I can’t wait to hit the ground running and help the city’s golf division thrive.”
With more than eight years in public and private sector golf roles, Jurca is dedicated to developing and implementing strategies to ensure optimum utilization of the city’s golf course facilities while serving the public need for recreation. He is responsible for the organization and operation of all golf marketing, advertising, special events, programming, public relations, communications and business administrative duties for the golf operation division.
“One thing I noticed during the interview process was how much energy and enthusiasm Mike has for golf in the St. George area,” said Marc Mortensen, director of operations for the city of St. George. “His professionalism, ability to innovate and interpersonal skills make him an outstanding fit for this position and I look forward to working with him.”
Prior to joining the team at the city of St George, Jurca was the director of golf operations for Homestead Resort and Golf Club in Midway, Utah, from 2019-24. During this stint, Homestead established course records for green fee revenues and merchandise revenues. Prior to that he led golf operations for the city of Grand Junction, Colo., and was the head golf professional for the privately owned Ledges Golf Club in St. George.
Jurca has had a strong career on the course as well. Twice an individual state champion at Dixie High (2005, 2007), Jurca went on to compete at Brigham Young University for four seasons. He was an assistant golf coach at both Utah Valley and then-Dixie State, made the cut in consecutive Utah Opens (2022, 2023) and qualified for the 2024 PGA Professional Championship.
Beginning in the 1990s, Jurca was among the first generation of children who were involved in the city of St. George’s Junior Association of Golf – a program he will now oversee in a professional capacity.
“My journey in golf began in St. George and my goal has always been to end my journey in St. George,” Jurca added. “For that and many other reasons, I am excited to begin in this role.”
Jurca returns to St. George with his wife McKell, daughters Jayla and Josie and sons Jett and Mason.